Civil War Letters, 1864

The following letters were written during the Civil War to

and from Isaiah B. West.

They include names of friends and family in Dade and Cedar Counties, Missouri.

He had apparently been taking care of a lot of friends' farms when

they went off before him to serve their country. And, one includes a letter from

a brother who went South to serve the Confederates. Finally, Isaiah

could stay at home no longer. On November 1, 1863, he enlisted

with the 2^nd Regiment of Missouri Artillery, Company H,

at Springfield, Missouri.

January 30, 1864

Springfield, Missouri

Dear Companion,

It is with greatest pleasure that I avale the present opportunity of informing you that I am well at this time. Cincerely hoping by the grate giver of all that thes few lines may safly come to your hands an find you increasing in helth. I am sorry to inform you that we have to start Tuesday morning to St. Louis. But you must remember that we have to yeald to the fate of war. And my dear I want you to manage and get along the best you can. Take good care of my children and consider your time and content yourself. I will return home again in time and we will try to lead a happy life. I am going to send my mare to Mr. Younger and he is to pay me seventy five dollars and I will have $50.00 of it left with Mr. Montgomery for you to get. Remember I left fifty dollars with Mr. Montgomery for you if Younger takes the mare. If not you can take hur and keep her and sell her the first chance for 75 dollars. When I get to St. Louis I will wright to you and let you know my post office. And I want you to wright and tel all the balance to wright. As it is late and candel gone out, I must close.

From Isaiah B. West

To Nancy J. West

And Family

February the 19^th, A.D. 1864

Dear Companion after respects an love to you all I will inform you that I am in good health. When thes few ill-form lines come to your hands they may find you an the children well an in good spirits. I want you to manage an get along the best you can if you can rent the playce rent it out an if not if you can get some grass in, it would be well. I want you to take panes an mine the children. The 50.00 I want you to make use of it to the best advantage an by everything you need. We landed here yesterday eavning. We had a hard trip. We are 300 miles below St. Louis at New Madrid. I saw Duncan at Rolla. He was on his way to Batesvil Arkansas. We are campt on the bank of the river. We can se steamboats every day. Tel Mother Rob is well in good spirits and has a jolly time with the boys. Give my respects an love to all relation an friends. Tel them all to wright to I want you to wright often. Take good care of the children. Tel them to be good children an study their books an I will bring them a nise present when I come home. Altho we are a long ways apart at this time, the time is coming when we will be living in pease at home. I expect we will stay here all summer altho we may soon be ordered a way soon but as I have got started I had just as soon be one place or another. We all know we must submit to the fate of war. As I have litel time to wright I will come to a close.

I want you to take good care of yourself an children. Take the world easy so no more at present. Only remain your affectionate husband until death.

Isaiah B. West

To Nancy Jane West

Isaiah B. West to Nancy Jane West -2- February 19, 1864

As I had the pleasure of receiving a leter from you this moment I must wright a few more lines to you. This letter was gladly received in deed. I was truly glad to hear of you an the children being as well as you are an doing as well as you are. I want you take good care of yourself, an the children. I had jut finished a letter when I got your leter. Tel the children that I will come home some day or other an bring them a nise present. Keep them in books and tel them to lurn to spell well an they will be good children. I think of them as often as they do of me for you an them is on my mind the bigest half of my time. You seme to think that we never would meet again but I have no other thots but to live with you at home an the children. Again the time may seem long but it will soon role around. I was glad to hear of you getting along so well with the stock an the increas. I want you to spend some of your time a wrighting. You wanted me to send a name for the babe but I am at a loss what to send if I have any ruther I believe it would be Maeariah Thomas as I have an unkel an brother name this. But Jane if you have any name picket out for your babe I have nothing to say. But I as you wanted me to send a name I would say Maeriah Thomas as I thot I would like to have a brother with a namesake. And, also your brother as Tom was ruther a favorite of mine. So no more. At present but remain your affectionate husband until death.

From I. B. West

To Nancy J. West

New Madrid, Mo.

March 2, 1864

Dear Companion,

It is with the greatest of pleasure I want the present opportunity of wrighting you a few lines to let you know that I am well. At this present time cincerely hoping when the few lines may reach your hands they may find you an the children well and doing well. I would be glad to see you an the children this morning but as we are so far apart I will have to content myself. In a soldier tent for the present. Give my love to Mother's folks. Tel them Rob is well at present. He received a leter from Ben. He wrote that they was all well. Jane, if Lut Montgomery has got my money for survis rendered in the EMM you take it an make use of it an if you have any green backs hang to it with the last, anything you want hire as long as you have money and always seek for the best bargain. I got a letter from Illinois. Aunt Mary she requested me to give hur the names and ages of my children. I do so she also requested me to have my miniature taken in my uniform. They wrote that they was stil getting leters from Brother Wallas. I got one from him since I left home. Jane I want you to pay Mrs. Williams $5.00 for me an get my note from her if you don't know where she lives is Coners Prary near old Jim Underwoods and settle $5 or 6 with Conaway at Stockton. Jane you must excuse my small leter. I was officer of the Provose Guard yesterday an last night an I am due today. I will wright an every 8 or 10 days. I want you an mothers folks to ancer them so hoping thes may reach your hands in due time. Tel Josiah, Lisey and Charley to be good children. Lurn their books. When I cum home I am going to bring them a nise present.

From I B West

To Nancy J West

March 24, 1864

New Madrid, Mo.

Dear Companion,

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I this evening take pen in hand to inform you that I am at this time enjoying exlent helth cincerely hoping these few lines may arrive safe to hand and find you and the children in good helth. My dear this is the fourth leter I have written to you and have received non yet from you but I stil live in hopes and look for one every day. I would be greatly rejoised to hear from you and the children and the rest of the relation and friends around in that country. I fear you have got no leters from me as I can't get no ancers. Rob got one from Mother a few days ago whitch gave grate satisfaction to us both and I think he ancered it the 22^nd. Tell Mother that Rob is in good helth and as sassy as eny need for and always has sumpthing to say for pass time. Wm. Pyle, John Toliver and some other recruits landed safe to camp this morning. They campt at St. Louis for several days. We hear but litel news at this time. Thare was a batel inspection a few days ago but we haven't got news yet whether it went off or not. Thare was a boat captured by the rebs on the river below here a few days ago but that is a small mater. I want you to wright me and let me know how you got along with the stalk and if you can get enybody to tend the place or not and if you can get provision or not. I want you to have plenty as thare is no incuragment for trying to give welth or accumulate property. If you can sell that land for the same I giv in money, let it go for I don't expect to make my home in that country. I want you to wright how times is there now. If you can't live there in peace I will have you moved from that country. I would be glad to be at home with you and the children but as it is imposabel at this time we must be content and submit to the fate of war. I have not heard a man in Co. H say he was sory that he enlisted in the U.S. Survis but say that they would not be a malitia soldier by no consideration. Give my respects to all inquiring friends and tell them to wright to me and tel Caroline to wright to me every chance. I red a few lines that she wrote to me. I want you to practis wrighting and wright to me. If you can't wright good wright the best you can. I want Mother and Saly to wright to me if Saly don't wright to me tel hur that I wil come over some evening and rake hur over the Coles. I want Charly to wright also and all the rest of the relation. Give my respects to Unke Ebre White. Tell him to wright to me and give me all the news in that country. As I am crowded out I must close for the presant.

March 25, 1864

I again take pen in hand to pen a few more lines to you. I am well today as usial except one eye. When I arose this morning one of them was sweld shut but is not very painful. We have very good quarters and our fare is very good, our duty is light anuf.

March 27,/64

Columbus, Kentucky

Dear Companion,

It is with pleasure I avail the opportunity of wrighting thes few lines to you to inform yout that I am in good helth hoping this may came to hand and find you and chilren in good helth. I wrote those few lines to let you no that I was yet on the land of the living . I am at Columbus, Kentucky. We are enspecting a batel at this, this is a well fortified place. A gros meny troops here thare was a batel at a station near here yesterday. Three hundred rebs kild and 18 feds. They burned a bridg on a railroad 8 miles from this last night. I left Rob at New Madrid, Mo. As I have a bad charm to wright and but litel time I must come to a close but still remain yours. I can't tel you when I will return to New Madrid but still direct your leters to that place. The rebs also taken Hickmon(?) on the 25^th or the 26^th. I was thare and was ordered to this place. Give my respects to all.

Still remember me and wright often. So no more only hoping those few lines may find you in good helth.

Isaiah B. West

To Nancy J. West

March 30, 1864

New Madrid,Mo.

Dear Companion,

It is with the gratest of pleasure that I again avail the presant opportunity of addressing you with a few lines to inform you that I am in exlent helth at this presant time cincerely hoping by the grate giver of all that when these few lines come to your kind hands that they may find you an the children an the ballence of the relation enjoying good helth. Will inform you that I received your kind leter dated March 18 which was grate satisfaction to me indeed. I was glad to hear that you all was well. I have bin on a long scout in Kentucky. We went by water. We got back this morning. I am glad to hear that you got that money from Mr.Montgomery. Take good care of it and use it to the best advantage as you might posably have your own living to make as life is uncertin an deth is shure altho I think that I will live until this war is ended and reside at home with you again. You say something about the girls getting leters from me. Shaw that is a new idea to me to think they are so sily as to tel eny such, never the less tell them that I would like for them to ancer the leters for since Mrs. Nancy is married I am at a loss to no who to wright to but when I return butter can play the fiddle an hur an I can dance. That is what is the mater. Enuf about that. Give my respects to Sarah an tel her that I was glad to hear from hur an to hear that she was well seing I am sory to think that Mrs. Nancey was to fast for hur but I hope you will not green yourself to deth. Give my best respects to all inquiring friends. I have got no leter from Losson yet. I fear he is ded or in the gard house or he would wright. I want you al to wright often as I love to hear from you al. Tel Mother to wright to me as I have neither time nor spase I must come to a close but still remain your affectionat husband.

I B West

To Nancy J West

April 5, A.D./64

New Madrid, Mo.

Dear Companion,

I am onst more permitted to write a few lines to you to inform you that I am in good helth at presant cincerly hoping thes few lines may arrive safe to your hands and find you and the children all in good helth. I have written two or three leters to you since I have got eny from you. I am looking for a leter from you every boat but thare has been four boats past this morning and no leter yet. It appears to me that I have but few friends in that country or I could get more leters from them. I lurn that I get no EMM money but I am not much disappointed about that. A man must live and lurn and if a man pays for his lurning it only sticks the beter and is worth the more. This is plesant weather it reminds me of plow time. It appears to me that I wold like to change my military survis to farming and waiting on you and the children but as it is we must content ourselvs and submit to the fate of war until thos God forsaking hell reches is snatcht from our land. then we can return to our natural mode of life and customs and live as free republicans and brothers.

A Dutchman's Complaint

I dinks much about de war and de draft and de

Rebils and all about dese dings. I dinks about

Em more as about anyding else. Sometimes I sets

Mits myself all day on de front step and works and

Drinks hard sider and does noting else only drink den

Den my wife she gifs me de trifel for drinkin so much

But I tells hur wat she voman know about war.

Beter she goes and mind hur own pisness.

I want you to take good care of the horses and stock. We was ordered on a scout today. We will take the first boat that comes down the river. We are going down the river in Tennessee tho Rebs are thick in that country we will be gon for about four days or longer. Scouting is my glory. I would quit eating eny time to go scouting. I must tell you that I see old Bluford Thompson, he lives six miles from our camp. He invited me to come out and see him he said his wife often spoke of you and she thot so much of you that it appeared like our relation. I want you to take good care of the children and yourself. Keep good cloths and ware them. I love to see people with pride anuf to keep decent close when they are able. I can't like to see to much stockings.

Give my best respectz to all my friends, tell them to wright to me often for I would be glad to hear from them.

I want you to lurn to wright and wright to me. If you can't wright good wright the best you can.

As I have no more time I must close my leter wishing you all well.

Still remain your husband

Until death,

Isaiah B. West

To Nancy J. West

Isaiah B. West

New Madrid

From Isaiah B. West

Nancy Jane West

Isaiah B. West

(Picture of Boat) ( Artwork by Isaiah)

I would have written sooner but there was no post stamps at this place until late. I intend to wright every weak. I want you an mother to do the same. Writing a leter is a small job an I think you might as well spend some of your time writing as not.

Tell Losson if he don't wright to me I will reach over an pull the wol over his eyes. I would also like for him to be in North. It would make him open his eyes to be here some day and see five or six men buckt and gaged at the same time. One of our men wore a flour barl over his head for two days an had to go to the woods with the wagons a foot after Wolves. A man has to do his duty here or take what follows. If a corporal tells a man to do so an so he goes an does it as same as if he were ordered by Maj. Robb or the hiest officer in the army. My recommendation is sent up for my commition but it hasn't come yet. Soldiers wages has increast to 18 dollars per month. Sergants to 21 dollars. We are expecting to draw soon. I have the rise of one hundred dollars due me next draw day. I have some money on hand as I have to go to dress perade I will close my leter hoping this leter may come to hand in due time an I want you to remember me at night often. I ever go to bed but what I think of you an the children. So farewell for awhile.

April 13, 1864

New Madrid, Mo.

Dear Companion,

I onst more with pleasure take my pen in hand to inform you that I am in good health cincerely hoping by the grate giver of all that thes few lines may arrive safe to hand an fine you all in good helth. I received your letter today witch gave grate satisfaction to me to hear from you and the children and relatives and friends also. Got a letter from home today which was gladly received and gave satisfaction to us both. Jane you sayed something about thos chains that belongs to the wagon and I am not positive but I think they are on thes shelvs overhead in the entry. Probly over the windows. As for them sizzers I have them with me if you need sizzers you will have them to buy. You wanted to know what for that land, it is two hundred dollars. If you are out of corn and wheat you had beter lay in your sumers provision if you can get three or four acres of corn planted. I think it would be well enuf if you can get it planted. I want you to continue to practice writing and wright to me. The rebs taken Fort Pillow, it is about 100 miles from here. I can't tell what was don thare it is not in the papers as I wrote to you a few days ago I will give you a short leter. I want you to wright every chance so no more at present but still remain your affectionate husban until.

Isaiah B. West

April 19, 1864

New Madrid, Mo.

Dear Companion

After my best respects an love to you an the children. I will inform you that I am well at thy present time hoping by the grate giver of all that when thes few lines come to hand they may find you all enjoying good health. I have written to you twice since I got an ancer from you but as I have a litel leshure spell tonight I thot I would write a few lines to you to let you know that I am on the land an amongst the living. Rob is fat an sassy as ever an has his own fun with the boys an pases off his time very well. George Underwood is well an hardy. Thare is measles raging in our camp tho nobody dangerously sick with them. We went on a scout in Arkansas an a grate many of us taken cold on the trip. Give my best respects an well wishes to mother an family an also to Losson an Amy. I will say to Loss that I expect to cheat him out of something when I return again to old Cedar. Well Jane I guess we are both beet for Miss Nancy an Shambrick is both married. Jane I want you to write to me how you got thru the winter with the stock. I would suppose feeding time was about over an stock could live on the range. Take good care of your calves an give them plenty of milk an they will be less trouble to winter an worth more afterword. Tell the children I want them to be good children an lurn their books well. I recon the children think the time long an a getting tired of wanting for me to come home but it is the case with me but I expect I can bare it more pationtly as I know we must submit to the fate of war. If enybody that is staying in that country at home gets the stalk or kills eny of it, they had beter be to the devil before I get back to that country again. As there are but few min in that country. You must give my best respects to all of the ladies. I hardly ever git to see a deacent lady in this country. I will give you a cure for corns so if my lady have them they may be cured. Take a peace of chees an warm it an rub the corn well with it an let the feet hang out of the bed for 2 or 3 nights an if the rats and mise do their duty the corn will be gone. As it is getting late I must wine my leter to a close. It is all most ten o clock in the night. Lights is all blown out an all gone to bed an silence result in camp. You sayed something about me being so far off you was out of hope ever seeing me again but I have no other thots altho I am far away I think of you an the children every day, every day. So nothing more at present only I shall remain your affectionate husband until death.

Isaiah B. West

Nancy J. West

Cepejerradow Mo

Jerrado Co

May 21, 1864

Dear Companion,

I am proud onst more to be permitted to wright to you but I can't say that I am in good health for I have bin now twenty three days in the hospital but I am on he mend and I think I will be able to leave in a few days. I cincerely hope when thes few lines comes to hand you an the children well and doing well. Our Co. left here two weeks ago and I havn't heard from them since they went from here up to St. Louis and I think they have gone in sum part of Southwest Mo. I think I will start up the river in about three days. I would ask you to write but I shal leave here before a leter could get here. As my hand is so nurves and trimbly I will make a short leter at this time. I thot I would write a few lines to let you know that I yet on the land and mong the living. Excuse bad wrighting. I will write again when I get to my Co. So no more at present but remember your husband until death.

I.B. West

May 26, 1864

St. Louis, Mo.

Dear Companion.

I am glad to think that I am onst more permitted to write you another in answer to some that I got from you. I am glad to say to you that I am onst out of the hospital and with Co. H. I was left behind in Hosp. 21 days. I am mending but am very weak. I am so nervis that I can scarsely hold my pen on the paper but I thot I would try to write to you. Maybe my leter can be read. I am twenty pounds lighter than I was 2 months ago but I think I will be stout soon. Give my respects to mother and all inquiring friends. Tell J. S. McCain. I will write to when ever I get able to write and he mustn't wait for a leter from me. Tell the children to be good children until papy comes home. I think this war is near to an end as Gen. Grant and many other Gen with large forses are closing in on Richmond and old Jef has ben gon from there 6 days. The federals will take Richmond as sure as the sun rises and sets. We are looking for an order to move but it is not known when we will get the order. As I am weak an tired you must excuse my short leter and remember me and your husband until deth. I think of you and the children day and night when awake and when asleep. I am dreaming of you so no more at present.

I B West

West those stamps to get them apart

St. Louis, Mo. May 30, 1864

Dear Companion

This plesant morning take my pen in hand to inform you that am in tolerable good health. I am very weak yet but I think time will give me strength. Jane I sincerely hope when this comes to hand you and the children may be in exlent helth. I wrote you a few days ago so I will give you a short leter as I am so weak and nervis I can scarcely write. I am going to send this by Mr. Montgomery it will have $20 in it. I want you to go to Pinertons Mill and get several hundred pounds of flour or if you think you can get wheat cheaper buy wheat. You must always lay in bred stuf in time. You must do the best for yourself you can. I think you can manage this sumer and I will be at home in the fall. I should come home now but couldn't stay there for darned rebs. So no more at present I only wish you all the good luck that providence may provide.

I.B. West

Camp Gambel

June 23, /64

Dear Companion,

I am onst more permitted to write a few lines to inform you that I am one time more in tolarbel good helth. I gratly and cincerly hope when thez few lines come to hand you may all be enjoying good helth and the balance of the relation and neighbors also. Rob and I just returned this morning to camp. We have been to see James and Tom. They are both well and hardy, Ben is well. We accidentally got to see him. Erick Gufey is maried. It is quite an easy mater for a soldier to mery tho some times mary for three weeks. Thare is talk of us going down on Red River but I am not able to say whether we will or not but I wouldn't be surprised if we did and as I have to be from home I had just as soon be thare as eny other place. It is a meteriel wher a soldier is for it is all the same prise. Thare is another call for three hundred thousand more troops. Missouries to will be about twelve thousand. I fear the draft will come this trip but I hope the people will turn out and fill the calls for our needy government calls for help, help, help for every tru man to his governmen that is subject to military duty will stand back and hear the cries of our glories government. You may look for me next fall for I intend to come home. I want to see you and the children very bad. I would be glad if times was so that I could be at home to stay but we see it is imposabel at this time but I hope the day is coming when I can comfort my children again. Now the bugle sounds and I must come to a close. So no more at presant only wishing you peace and happiness.

Your affectionate husband,

Isaiah B. West

Mesemec

Bridg QmRR

July 3 1864

Dear Sister and Aunt Itis

With grate pleasure that I imbrace the present opportunity of dropping you a few lines in answer to your cind and affecton leter which receive with great pleasure and was truly glad to hear from you and to here you was well and I was also proud to think you had not forgoten me. I have nothing of interest to write at present. Cincerely hoping that those few lines may reach you in diew time an find you injoing the same like blessing. We are stationed on the Mississippi River 18 miles below St. Louis. We are seeing fine times here. Thare is about 15 of us here an we have but litle to do. Robert and West was down here to see us a few days ago. James is here with me. Benjamin is at Potosa. I have not herd from him n som time. Well Aunt I would like to see you an to be at home long enuf any how for you to see me married for I am getting tired of living single any longer the thoughts of living to be an old batchalor is terble to think of. But one thing revives me an that is thare will be plenty of girls for I don't think they can possible all marry in the next 12 months to come an if I should so be luckey as to make it threw them, proble I can find someone in the notion I am an if I do you may rest ashured that thare will be a march rite off. Thare is no girls here but Dutch and they don't sute me for I can't understand them well. Aunt as I wrote enuf of foolez to no prophet I will bring my remarks to a close by saying to you to write soon an fail not.

Yours with respects

And

Thos. B. White

To Nancy J. White

PG an Caroline White

When this you se remember me

Tho fare a part we be.

TBW

July 4, 1864

St. Louis, Mo

Dear Companion,

I onst more take the plesure of wrighting to you to inform you that I an yet on the land an among the living an in tolerbel good. I cincerely hope an pray by the grate giver of all that thes few lines may arrive safe to your hands an find you all well an in peace but I fear your country or at least the people of that country is in a distressed an co trubled condition but I hope for beter times. I got a leter from brother James West he is living in Newton County near Granby. He wrote that they was all well he was making a crop. You must write to him. Direct your leter to Newtona Newt Co., Mo. We have moved our camps. We are campt near Benton Baricks. We have a nice camping place an a nice drill ground. Jane you must do the best you can for you an the children, by everything you stand in need of while you have money. You must be saven for hard times is just a comin to my opinion. Give my best respects to Mother an family, Rob wrote a leter yesterday. I want you to write oftener for the gratest plasure I see is when I am reading a leter from you an the children but it would be grater plasure to meet with you an them so no more at presant.

I.B. West

July 5/1864

St. Louis, Mo.

Dear Companion

I again take my pen in hand as it is the greatest of pleasure to me to write you to let you know that I am yet on the land an among the living. I cincerely and grately hope by the grate give of all that thes few lines may safely come to your hands and that you an the children may be enjoying good health and that you get the nurishments necessary for the comforts of life an I hope that God may bless that country with rain sufficient to bring forth the necessary supplies of life that the women an children may not parish nor have to stragel off from their property. It looks like death and starvation is staring people in the faces more an more every day an for all that people is getting more hard hearted as if there was no hereafter nor sole to save nor God to Glorify but I think now if ever is the time for people to live a lustern life. I notes that good honorable sturdy men and piesmen are the best soldiers we have an get along the best an are the most thot of by both officers and Soldery an all ways appear to be happy. We are waiting with patience to hear from Grant. We are expecting to hear from him an I hope we have grate success. We was mustered a few days ago an we are expecting to be payed off every day. I have one hundred dollars an the rise cumming to me. I have about 80 dollars on hand an right smart loand out. The most of the company is out of money as it is common for soldiers to spend their money as fast as they get it. But I think of my needful children at home when I go to spend money as I am suriving as a soldier for the welfare of my country and comforts of my little family but I have spent a grate deal of money while I was sick for something that was nurishing to eat as camp food was to ruf. Jane I want you to write to as soon as you get beter and let me know how you an the children are getting along an how you are getting along for bred an how much money you have got. Keep your money out of the way of the rebs an also the letters you get from me an don't let them get their hands on them. If they come an demand of you, you have to understand you have none, an stick to that to the last. If they burn let them burn for if they want to burn, money won't keep them from it. Give my well wishes to all an tell Mothers folks to write a letter often an yourself. So no more at presant only I remain your ever an affecitonat husband.

Isaiah B. West

St. Louis, Mo

July 11, 1864

My dear and beloved Jane,

Ever anxious to correspond with you. I most pleasherfuly embrace an opportunity which now presents it of sending you a letter. Everything goes on with me reasonable an prospers as could be expected. My helth is reasonably good. I sincerely hope by the grate giver of all that this may arrive safe to your hands an fine you an the children well. Jane I haven't received a letter from you an the children for a considered time. I think you might write a little oftner than you do. Mr. Montgomery Mrs. Montgomery and A.C. Montgomery is here. They are going to start home in a day or two. Capt. Montgomery is going with them. I expect I will send some money with them. If I do you must write to me as soon as you get it. You must keep these letters lost you get from me an keep your money lost also for I had rather have one hundred dollars burnt than for them to get twenty five from me. We have not drawn our money yet but I think probably we will draw soon. Government is very punctuel to pay. Mrs. Montgomery told me that she heard you had plenty of bred stuf which I was glad to for I was uneasy for fear you would be trubled about getting it. Everything in the provision line is on the rise an goods also is rising. I fear wors times is coming. Jane I want you take good care of the children. Whip them as little as posabel. Keep them at their books. Alow them to make use of no bad language and the best way to avoid that is to alow as litel in their presents as posabel. I want you take grate panes in making them talk without yousing the words yes and no and what. Lurn them to use manners as becums children. Not only children but becums their parents as I haven't a grat deal to write at present I will say no more. Only wishing you all the good luck that God may pleas bestow upon you an the children. I still remain your affectionat an faithful husban.

Isaiah B. West

St. Louis, Mo.

July 17, 1864

Dear Companion,

It is with great pleasure that I this evening take pen in hand to inform you that I am enjoing good helth. I cincerely hope by the grate giver of all that thes few lines may arrive safe to hand an find you an family well. I am proud to state to you that I read your kind leter which gave grat satisfaction to me indeed to hear from you an the children an relation. I will inform you that Ben is here in St. Louis. He left our camp today. He will be mustered out of surves tomorrow. I seen several of the Cedar County boys that is here to be mustered out. The federal army in the east is very successful they have captured a grate many prisoners in the last few days. The rebel army is loosing ground every day. I think they will finaly run their selves to the jumping off place an thare secede from this world an jump into the lower regions. I say success to trade an joy go with them. As you are all aware I have as litel use for the lower region deserving rascals as any, many living but as flying insects such as house flies, nats an agrate many others to teches to mention. Is wors this season there common but for all that they must perrish when white frost cum an the leaves fall then will be lavished away. There are a grate miny prisoners in this city. We have a grate deel of guard duty to do but that is just the making of soldiers. We have to drill on the drill gound three hours in the fore noon with our horses an peases. We drill in afternon on our peases in camp. We all poleace our camps every monring. We have a nise playce. I had rather be in the country or on the march but I expect we will stay here until fall. There is talk of us being payed off tomorrow. I have about two hundred dollars or the rise cuming to me. Part of it is loaned money. You wrote to me about loaning Wm. Hamelton money. If I loaned any to him I have forgotten it. I will send you money when I draw. I am afeard to send you much money for fear you will loose it and I would hate to hear of the rebels getting eny of my earnings but I ame to try to keep you plenty while it is going. Tel the children the time is cuming when Pappy will be to se them but how long I will stay with them I can't tel until the time comes. You must give my best respects an love to all inquiring friends. Rob sends his love to all. He is well an hardy an full of fun. You say that you want me to write oftener. I write about two leters to everyone I get from you. We are on duty all day an at dark we have to go to bed an blow out lites so we have but litel time to write but I ashure you I will write very chance an I ask the same of you. So I will close by subscribing myself to you as your affectionate husband.

Isaiah B. West

July 17, 1864 St. Louis, Mo.

From Isaiah B. West

To Cousin Susan White

An Nancy White

Dear Cousins,

After my wel wishes to you I will inform you that I am in good helth hoping thes few lines come to hand an find you well pleased to se thes few lines an hear of your being in good helth. I would be glad to se you and your pappy's folks. Give my best respects to Unkel Ben. Tel him to write to me an you must write also. So as I have neither time nor spase I must close my leter so no more at present.

Your cinser cousin,

Isaiah B. West

Camp Benton St. Louis, Mo.

July 24, 1864

Dear Companion Jane,

I am one time more permitted to write to you to inform you that I am in good helth at this time hoping thes few lines may in due time arrive safe to your kind hands an find you an the children well. Jane I am in good spirits at the time. The Fedrels have taken Atlanta an gave the Rebs a complete Flogging. Grant says if he had 100,000 more men he could after he got ready he could end this rebelion in ten days an if that’s all that’s lacken he can get the men. I think this war will be stopt in a short time. I hope it will at eny rate for I long to see the time come when I can return home in peace to you an the children an be a free man again. I feel as if I would be lost for a while for employment as I wouldn't no what to get at first but Iwould like to have the triel. I think I will be at home this fall on a furlough an spend some time with you an the children. If I was thare now I would be in danger of my life at home an it wouldn't be but litel satisfaction to me to be thare an stay away from home but as thare are plenty at this period of time away from their families we must content ourselves until this cruel war is over. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Tell Ben to beware of the bush-wackers an never let them get hands on him if he will keep out of the way awhile I think he stay at home. Rob is at time in good helth except a brokenout of the face which is very comen in camp. I had it on my face but it is about well again. Helth is tolerbel good. Give my best respects to Unkel Ben White. I would be glad to hear of him living in our neighborhood. We have drawn no money yet an we may not draw for another month to cum. I am tolerable short of money at present. I had plenty until the boys most all got out of money an I loaned out about $80 on a big per cent. If I had of had eny money I would ove sent you some money. But I hope you can make out. I want you to let me know how much money you have got on hand. We must be savers and get all we can for I expect to have a use for money when I come home to stay again. As I have to tend guard duty today an it is time to relieve the guard I must close my leter an say no more at present but I still remain your affectionate and faithful husband until death.

Isaiah B. West

St. Louis, Mo. July 24, 1864

Dear Sister

It is with pleasure that I seat myself to rite you a few lines for the first time in life. Thes few lines leavs me well cincerely hoping when tha cum to hand tha may find you injoying the same like blessing. Isaiah is well an harty. I would like to see you all very bad but I can't for awhile yet. Give my best respects to all inquiring friends and the girles especially. Jane I think that I will cum over one of these Sundays and if you pleas have me sumthing cooked good to eat. Will you Jane tell sireer Yosireer that he must be a good boy. Tell him that his pap has maryed a Dutch girl and ask him what he thinks of that. Well if I have told lies anuf. I will quit for this time. So no more at presents only remain your until death.

Robert A. White

Mrs. N. J. West

Jane I want you to rite me and tell Saly and Charley is tha pleas to rite thar A's Scribe us I am

Newton Co. Mo.

July 28, 1864

Dear Sister,

I take the presant opportunity to write you a few lines as which will inform you that we are all well at present hoping it comes if to hand it will find you an family well. You wanted to know if I had herd of Zack an Uncle Phillip. I have not herd from none of them since the wor commenced. times are tolerabel hard here an some bushwackers in the country. We would be glad to see you an the children. You must come an see us as soon as you can. We have very dry hot weather here now. We are needing rain very bad now. Elizabeth says she would be glad to see you. I have got one leter from Isiah since I have bin here. I am making a crop this year. We have 3 children--two girls an one boy. We call our boy Josiah Brooks an call our baby Amy Mariah an I believe I will close my letter as I have nothing to write at present. Write to me as soon as you get this leter so no more but remain your brother an sister.

James M. West an

Elizabeth West to

Nancy J. West

July 29, 1864

Camp Benton

St. Louis, Mo

Dear Companion,

I now take my pen in hand to inform that I am in tolerbel good health at this time. I greatly and cincerely hope this few lines may arrive safe to your hans an find you an the children in good helth. I this morning received two leters from you which gave me grate pleasure to hear from you and the children and to hear you was well as it is much pleasure to me to think that you an the children being well and doing so well as you are. You sade something about the rebs killing sum of the home guards and you didn't state whether it was Stockton Malitia or not. We have good news from Sherman's Army. The last account he was in posession of a portion of Atlanta and it is supposed he will have it in full posession in a short time. They killed six thousand rebs and lost two thousand. I think we will certainly have peace in the corse of one more year because the people on both sides are getting tired of this national warefare and I think they will come upon some terms of peace. Thare is talk now of a north western confedracy but I don't know how it will determinate. I hope it may be all wind and but a small puf at that. I lurn the rebs are very bad in North Missouri but the feds are giving it to them on every side. I don't think they can stand it very long. I am glad to hear that they haven't troubled you yet. I do hope that settlement will scape their thievish hands as there is nothing but destruction follows them. Tell the children to be faithful for I will be at home as soon as I can. I want to see them as bad as they want to se me but I know there is no chance. My mind is on them all day and my dreams at night. I want you Jane to teach them good behavior above all things and alow them to make use of no bad language but lurn them to use maners and politeness. I want you to remember this while you live bare it to mind and teach it to your children and you wil receive grate reward for it in your older days when they may be your nurs and only help then it would be grate pleasure to you to see your children manerdly and well behaved than to see them cruel wicken and disobedient to you and the way to have obedient children is to teach them good manners and good behiavior and then they will pay due respect to their parents and also to others. We haven't been payed off yet. I think we surtenly will be soon. Money is very scarce in Camp. Give my well wishes to all.

Tel Saly I was glad to receive these few lines from hur and I will try to lurn the song that she sent me the ballot of but we have but little time to lurn songs as I have trast those lines to the end. I must close my leter by sining myself your affectionat husban until death to Nancy J. West.

Isaiah B. West

I hope for union and liberty at home with our loved ones.

August 9, 1864

St. Louis, Mo.

Dear Sister,

It is with great pleasure that I seat myself to write you a few lines to anser to your letter. I just received of your bearing date July 31^st. Which gave me great satisfaction to hear from you an to hear that you was all well. Thes few lines leave me in good health sincerely hoping that tha may reach you in due time and find you all well and doing well. I have nothing of any importance to write at this time. I would like to see you all very much and have some old Cedar Co. times with the girls. But I can't at this time to. Me and Isaiah will try to get a furlow to cum this winter but I don’t know how it will be. Tell Josire and John that they must be good boys and work hard and I will send them sumthing nise as soon as I can. Jane I want you to write soon and often. Give my best respects to all inquiring friends, if thar should be any and tell them to write me as I have nothing much to write I will cum to a close so no more at present only remain as yours until death. Goodby for awhile.

Robert White

August 26, 1864

Camp Benton

St. Louis, Mo.

Dear Companion,

I feel thankful to think that I am again permitted to set myself to write to you in ancer to a letter that I just received from your kind hands an the tidings that it was loaded with that you was all enjoying good health was grate satisfaction in deed and Jane I sincerely hope by the grate giver of all that thes few lines may arrive safe to your most kind hands and find you an the children well and I hope that God will still continue to bestow that kind blessing upon my little family during my absence in this grate rebellion. Jane I hope and pray to God that the time is short that I will have to surve in the Army for I think that peace wil be declared within 8 months. Thare is grate talk of peace at this time. I hope they may fall on timz that will make peace again in our land and lasting peace to. Thare is a grate talk of Mclelon being our next president. The whole eastern army is for Mclelon. Men that have surved under him is head long for Mclelon. Well Jane you must give my best respects and well wishes to all especialy Mothers family tel them that I haven't forgotten them yet. The 6^th Mo. is campt at Camp Gamble. We see the boys every day or two. They are well. Thare is talk of them going to go down the river in a short time. We haven't got any marching orders yet. We are looking for General Newen to inspect our camp this evening. We are all in fine spirits as much also as soldiers have any need for. Jane, Rob and I are to get a furlough this fall. I think we will succeed in ge tting it. You must be content and not think it forever if you don't see me until I surve my time out for when I am out I expect to spend the most of the balance of my days with you and the children. 3 years soon roles around. We have now surved about one third of our time. We have drawn our money. I have got almost $200 and $25. Give my well wishes to Losson and Amy. Tel them I wish them well and all the good luck they have . Tell Amy that I wish hur good luck with hur boy. I want you all to write every chance. Jane you must write to every opportunity. It is getting late so I had to lite a candel before I could close my leter. General Newen is in our camp at this time inspecting our camp and batry. We are under strict orders here. We have dun pretty well now to be soldiers. I new nothing about soldiering until I volunteered in the Federal Army. Tell the children that their pappy wants to see them very bad and they just be good children and I will come to see them and I am coming home to stay with them as soon as I can. Jane as it is getting late and the time has come for late role call I must close my leter for the time so no more.

Isaiah B. West

St. Louis, Mo.

September 3, 1864

Dear Companion,

I am again permitted to write a few lines to you to inform you that I am in tolerabel good health at this time and I do sincerely hope by the great giver of all that thes few lines may arrive safe to hand and find you and the children well. I am greatly rejoiced to hear of you having your health so well as you have if you do happen to take dangerously sick you must inform me of it immediately. I hope you will still continue to have good health you must take good care of the children. Jane I would be happy if I could come home and stay in peace with you and the children. I think I will be at home this fall. You may in 2 or 3 months. I will be there if nothing happens to hender. if you need money before that time you must write to me and I will try and send you sum. When I come home I want to make a sale and sell of what little stalk we have as it will cost to much to buy grain and hire it fed. You must keep plenty of bred stuf. Don't alow yourself to get without try and keep plenty to eat. Tell Mothers folks Rob is well. James and Tom is well also. They are campt at Camp Gable about 2 miles from us. We see them every few days. William Homes kiled himself night before last by falling off of a house in St. Louis. He was on guard guarding a prison and I suppose he was drinking and fell from his post on the bilding. Jane I have been looking for a leter from you for 2 or 3 days. I hope I shall get one soon. Give my well wishes to Mothers family and all inquiring friends. Tell her I would be glad to receive a leter from them. Jane I will send a photograph in this one for each one of the children. You must take care of them for the children. Jane you must write every opportunity you have as I haven't anything of importance to write, I will close my leter. So no more at present.

Isaiah B. West

September 15, 1864

St. Louis, Mo.

Dear Companion,

I am onst more permitted to write to you in ancer to your welcome leter which I received day before yesterday dated the 6^th of this last which was grate pleasure to me to read an to hear that you was all as well as you are. Jane I would have written sooner but I have not been very well for a few days and I didn't feel like writing until this evening. Jane I hope when you receives thes few lines you may still enjoy good health. Jane I would be grately rejoiced to see you an the children an I hope the time won't be long. Give my respects to mothers folks an tell them the boys is all well. Rob keeps well an hardy an is a good soldier. Jane I want you to let me no in your next leter what salt is worth an if you have any or not an the price of domestic an shoes for I supose you will need thes articles this winter an if I can get transportation I will be there if I have the good luck to get to cum home. Jane you mustn't get impatient but take good care of the children an do the best you can for yourself during my absence an when I return home again I will stay an be of sum survis to you. Tel the children there pappy wants to see them very bad. I fear the time has been so long they will hardly no me. Tell Losson I think he has forgotten me as I get no word from him. Give my accomplishments to Mr. J. McCain I would be glad to get a few lines from him and get his views of the times of the country. Give my compliments to all friends an relation. Well this ends my leter an I have no information to write. So no more. Your ever affectionet husband.

Isaiah B. West

September 25, 1864

Pilot Nob, Missouri

My Dear Companion,

I am again permitted by the grate giver of all to write to you informing you that I am in tolerable good health at this present time and I do sincerely hope that thes few lines may arrive safe to hand and find you and the children in good health. Robs health is good. George W. and John A. is well also. I am looking for a leter from you every day. I hope I may get one soon. We have been at this place two days and nights. We are expecting the rebs in here. We have had our horses harnest and hidden for two nights and had to stay in line all night. We are very well pleased with our move as we are alowed more liberty than we was before. The sixth is at St. Louis yet. I was the last account, I undestood they were under marching orders. Where to I don’t know it was thot they would come to the Nob. The news has just arrived here that there is 5,000 near here marching this way. Sam appears to be smartly discharged. Others are anxious for a fight. As for my part I am pleased amost eny way. The rebs appear to be lifted. I think they will have to surve under old. Again, I onst that Mclellen would be my choice but I don't fancy the parts that nominated him. I want my friends to think of old ABE on the day of election when they cast votes. Give my well wishes to Mothers folks and relation and friends around. Tell them I would rejoice to be with them for awhile and I hope I will in a short time. Tell the children that papy would love to be with them every day and I think I will come to see them soon. Jane write to me every opportunity. Excuse my bad writing as I had no place to write. So no more at present only I still remain your affectionate husband.

Isaiah B. West

A few words to B.H. White for well I think you write. When everything is quiet, a leter to me write. I fear you are dangered as your mode of life is changing but all is for the best as I have often heard it said so I must wind up my leter as it is getting late. Ben you must write to me. Let me no what you think about the rebs in that country if you think I would be in danger or not. So no more at present.

Yours affed,

I B West

B F White

Isaiah B. West to Nancy Jane West -2- February 19, 1864

From I. B. West

To Nancy J. West

Sgt. Isaiah B. West was killed in the Battle of Pilot Knob

On September 27, 1864, with a musket ball through the head from

the line of enemy fire. He never lived to return home

to his beloved wife and children.

His wife, Nancy Jane, lived the balance of her life raising her

children in Dade County. She died there May 25, 1882.

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Katy Hestand, information submitted by Eileen Cummings, ecummins @hit.net