Wade Letter

Submitted by: Lawrence Wade

Subject:  This is a copy - albeit not a very good one - of a letter written to Oliver Wade after his son, Cpl, Ira J. Wade, was killed while in the Civil War.

The letter reads:

Mr. Wade, Oberlin, OHIO.
Dear Sir: In answer to your inquiry lately received concerning Corp. Ira Wade, I would briefly but sorrowfully say that he was killed early in the morning of the 19th September 1863 at the engagements at Chickamaugua.  Myself and our entire command mourn the death of our brave comrade and
a true and faithful Christian soldier.  We offer our individual sympathy and condolence to the entire family of the deceased.  While in the act of loading his gun a minnie ball entered his forehead, causing immediate death.  He was respected and loved by the entire company. His uniformly good conduct and military bearing won for him the confidence and esteem of his superior officers.  His early death is not only a great loss to his family and friends, but a great loss to the company, his regiment, and above all to our common cause for which he bravely, though early offered up his life.   Again, tendering my condolences to his friends, I remain respectfully,

THOMAS J. CERRAN
1st. Lieut. Comdg. Co. "E", 124th Regiment, Ohio Vols., Chattanooga, Tenn.

Ira L. Wade was the son of Gilbert Oliver and Lydia Reynolds Wade, He was
born 01 Decenber 1842 in Lorain Co., OH.