Lowry Boys' Civil War Letters Home

Letters home from Lowry boys

Letters home from Robert Alexander Lowry and William Gustin Lowry, of Curllsville, during the Civil War.

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I will write you a long letter when we get in camp

Pittsburgh August 2nd 61

My Dear Mother

I got down here safely & have been very well & have got almost entirely well of my cold. Gan is well & well contented. We are still upon the steamer & expect to leave this at 2 o’clock P.M. tomorrow (saturday). I hope we will not be disappointed, as we are all very tired staying here. I was up at McKeesport the folks are all well there. Did not see any of Youngs went to the house & they were not at home. I was only in McKeesport about 2 hours, the boat came along about 2 hours sooner than usual, so I did not get much talk with anyone. I believe Em Young & Irene are going along with Mary Jane to Freeport but not any further. Gan was at McKeesport while I was up in Clarion Co. It is pretty warm here and I think we will be pretty well “broke in” by the time we get down south. The town is full of soldiers coming home, and they all look well, hardy & all very much sun burnt. And nearly every one of them likes camp life very well and are going back again. I have seen a great many fellows of my acquaintance. A good many more of them than I thought were out all together. I saw “Oscar Sutherland” this morning he is just returning & is going out again. Looks as hardy as a pine. Knot was very much surprised to see Gan & me. Wm. John Galbraith is in town but I have not seen him Yet as soon as we get to camp I wil write to you & give you the necessary directions to put upon a letter for me. I must quit & go to supper now good bye.

Gus

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Jan. 3/62

Camp “Betty Black” Minors Hill Va.

Dear Mag

I recd your note last night, I suppose you have read Capt. Monks letter by this time and it is not necessary for me to say much about the reports of Riley, Mohney, & Co. Only I think mother has lived long enough in this world to know that it is very deceitful and that it is folly to believe every idle report. She has lived enough with Gan & me to know that we are not in the habit of carrying on in just such a manner as that christian father Riley & his satalites report. Riley hates the name of Lowry

Mother knows that he gave her a cut in prayer meeting. I know that he got mad at some fancied misconduct of Gan at camp meetings, that he reproved me in Pritner’s store one time for another fancied offence He, Capt, Monks, & I had a spat just before we left home and he in christian spirit still keeps up the feud by lying about us, while we are where none of his family have the blood to show themselves Well this is enough of this I have been troubled enough about it. You Say nothing More about it, let them talk if they will, they will have to eat their own words. We are well, and getting along very comfortably, have lots of bed clothes & good tents & warm stoves, and plenty to eat. Capt Monks bought the men an Oyster dinner on New Years & had chicken & the fixins for ourselves, And every one enjoyed themselves very well

How were the children pleased with their presents, I sent Ian a pair of my old pants so that he could have a pair with stirrups on. Camp is a pretty hard place on clothes Mrs. Col Black and her two daughters have been in camp for a good while & left yesterday, Mrs Capt Means is here now. It looks very nicely to see womin in camp

How is Millinery flourishing now? Do you get as much work as formerly?

Who was so foolish as to tell Mother those reports about us. So Mr. Hilliard is going to war at last, peace go with him.

I had a letter from Ben Huey last night. Ben is one of the best of fellows And I was very sorry to have him leave but he was not able to be of any service here and is better at home. Remember me to the girls. I suppose you & Miss Thom think you are butchers since you cut up that quarter of beef. Well the drum is beating for drill & I must close & go out.

Yours,

Gust

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Miners Hill VA Jan 10 1862

Dear Sister,

I received your kind letter some time ago, and just as I was setting down to answer it I discovered that Gust had written one so I thought I would wait a little while. Gust got your letter this evening & gave it to me to read. He will anxiously await the arrival of the good things you are going to send. I suppose mother is in the West by this time, I hope she will have a good time, she deserves it. There is some talk of us leaving this sometime soon I hope we will as I am tired of this confounded place. We have packed our new uniforms up to send into Washington, it will be kept there until we get into a place where we will be permanently located. Will Maclay received a letter from his father that stated that Ell Lyon would be here next week. I tell you I will hail his arrival with joy unspeakable. I know of no other person I would rather see than Ell.

I suppose you know I have been appointed Bugler so I will have a very easy time if we march I will not have as much to carry by 25 lbs as I used to have whitch I call a big item in my soldiering business.

Tell Julia that I send my love to her & thank her for the kind present she is sending me. I suppose she still lives with you. Gust was over at the reserve last Sunday & found them all well & able for their rations of fat pork and crackers. We are all getting along better than ever I expected I believe our regiment has the best times that are going. We have all got splendid rifles. So if we get a job of killing rebels we can do it up right.

Our regiment is called the More-head Rifles after senator Morehead from Pittsburgh. As news are pretty scarce I will have to subside.

Your Bro, Gan

P.S. Gust sends his love & will write soon/ kiss the children for me.

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Gan & I enclose 10$ for you write us soon as you get this so we will know if you get the money

Camp “Betty Black” Jan 20/62

Dear Mag

The Boxes of provender came last night and we have been living well since. They were a good while on the road.

We had a letter from Mary jane the other day Mother intended starting west today. Mr Ulam was to go with her. I am glad of that. The Freeport girls & people were all well, Gan & I got a letter from Saline Gibson, she says she is engaged to both of us and wants us to draw cuts which will have her, I don’t know how that will be. I have a notion to back out. I am afraid Miliners wouldnt like to keep house, and I would rather have a dutch girl. Do you know any? Ell Lyon has not got here yet and we have allmost given him up. I hope he will come yet. It is awful mudy here in Virginia now, and the sacred soil is entirely too plenty to suit cleanly people. I was at the camp of Col Hay’s regiment last week Saw Bumgardner Henry Shoup and the rest of the Curllsville fellows Saw Jim Ryan, Sam Penney has gone into the regular service, is a Lieut in the regular army. We thought we would move before this, but the roads are too bad for an army to move now. Gan & I are both well, and Gan is occupied in supporting the dignity of his new office of 8th corporal I had a letter from Ben Heuey the other day. And one from Tom Gales.

Remember me to the girls and the rest of creation about Curllsville that don’t think I am all the time drunk.

I would have written to you sooner but I thought Ell would be here before this. Give my love to Jim. & Maggie & siddie, and tell them I think of them very often and would like to see them very much. & hope we will all see each other next summer write soon

Your aff…

Gust

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Camp Betty Black Jan 26 1862

Dear Mag

I received your kind letter last week. but as Gust had just written to you . I thought I would wait awhile longer. and now I expect I am telling you the same story he did. he received a letter from Bob & Ike which stated that mother had given up her trip to the west and that she a Mary Jane had gone to Curllsville. If they are there tell them to write as soon as possible We recd your Kind presents a have them nearly finished. we are still pretty hard on the “sarres” some of the sausages and turkeys were spoiled. wasant it a pity after you folks going to so much trouble to send them to us. the chicken Julie sent was first-rate. I owe a thousand thanks and if I live to get back I will give her a good squeezing for it We are still in the same old place. But as usual I don’t think we will be here much longer, we expected to go on the Burnsides expedition but were dissapointed nothing would have pleased me more than to have gone with it but such is the fortune of war Now we have sent all of our extra baggage into Washington with the expectation of going somewhere else wether we will be again dissappointed remains to be seen. But I hope not nor do I think we will Did you get those pictures. I hope you did as they are the best I have had taken yet. dont you think so. If Alfred Thomas would like to come to war, and an easy job would be any enducement. I will give him the one I have. That is the Post of Bugler as he is good on that instrument I hear I have two Offices so you Know I could spare one very easily. Bill Myers and paid a visit to the far famed city of Alexandria. it is a very nice place and much larger than I expected. it contains about sixteen thousand inhabitants. that double picture was taken in the Marshall House in which Ellsworth was Killed These photographs were bought in Alexandria If Mother & Mary Jane are at your house let them read this very interesting letter it is not interesting but I can’t help it as there is nothing to write about that would interest you The mud in our camp is about two feet deep and still rising Write soon to your Bro Gan (Gust sends his love to all)

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Camp near “Fortress Monroe” Apl. 3rd 1862

Dear Mag

As mother has gone to Freeport. I shall direct this letter to you. I suppose you have read all that I sent to Curllsville directed to Mother,

We are encamped about three miles from “Fortress Monroe” , We leave here tomorrow. I dont know where we are going. This is a very pretty place but a little bit flat, sometimes. One night it rained and when we got up in the morning we had about 3 inches of water for carpet. Our bed was raised about 6 inches and was dry.

Loomis cavalry company is laying at Fortress Monroe and we have seen a good many of the boys. Bill Pritner looks better than I ever saw him. John Roper has been to see us. Tom Beales of Freeport is in that company. Col. Lehmans Regiment, came down yesterday. they passed us & encamped about 2 miles from us near “Newport News”. The 105th & 63rd are about ½ miles from us towards “Fortress Monroe”. The Penn @ Reserves have not come down, and we dont know whether they are coming down or not. we didnt get a mail for about 10 days & then we didnt get much of a mail, I got a letter from Mother day before yesterday, she seems to be in low spirits. I hope she will feel better when she gets to Freeport. I had a letter from Thos Gales at the same time, she said that Ben Huey was going to haul Mother’s things to the river. This has been a beautiful day here and like a may day up at home. The peach trees are in blossom here and flowers coming out. I hope you are all well, and that the children are getting along well, and I long for the time when I can meet you all again, Direct. 62nd Reg. 2nd Brigade, Porters division, Washington D.C.

Remember me to Kate Myers, I recd a letter from her a couple weeks ago - Your Gus

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Monday Apl. 9, 1862

Camp Near Yorktown, Va.

Dr. Mother

We marched from our camp near Fortress Monroe on Friday & reached here on Saturday. There has been some skirmishing, but things are going on slowly and systematically. Genl. McClellan is here and we have a large force. Yorktown will have to come down pretty soon I think. Genl. Hen--teman went out yesterday within 500 yds of the enemy’s works and took a look at them. He is a plucky old and about as homely a looking man as you could see in a week’s travel.

I have not much to write that would interest you but I had a chance to write just now and thought I would let you know that I was well, it is only once in a while that we can get the materials for writing. I will write to you whenever I can get a chance. I suppose you are in Freeport now, and I hope since I commenced this I recd a letter from Bobbie and Sis saying that you had come to Freeport. I will answer when I get opportunity. (written upside down) that you will feel better. I know that you are sorrowing deeply for what is past, and that you are deeply anxious about me. I think much about you and about all the rest. We all know that there is a God of battles, and I hope we may all trust in him and to his will. And I hope that my dear friends at home will not regret that I have come here. I have only done what seems to be the duty of all young men and what so many have done. I could not have stayed at home & not thought that I was shirking a duty, and loosin respect in myself.

It is painfull to receive letters that seem to say that I have not done right And a little word of encouragement from home is sweet to all of us here. Please send this letter to Mag, as writing material is scarce & I will not write to her this time. Direct Co. C 62nd Reg. P.V. 2nd Brigade Porter’s Division Washington, D.C.

Give my love Mary Jane, Sis, Smith & the children. Goodbye. May God bless & take care of all of us. Yours aff… Gus

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Camp Near Yorktown Va.

Apl. 12th, 1862

Dear Sister Mag

I suppose that you are expecting that we are fighting away here at a desperate rate, and that we are proportionaly used up but thus far we have not been doing anything of much account and we have been laying here till we get a lot of seceshers in a bag at leaste it is supposed that we are trying to surround the enemy and that that accounts for part of our inactivity here. I had a letter from Ben Heuey a few days ago. He said that our folks had gone to Freeport and that you were not well. Ben has been very kind. This is a very fine day here but we have had some pretty disagreeable weather. We have heard that news from No 10 Island and reports of another fight but haven’t got the particulars of the latter. We have just heard of the Merrymac making another visit to Fortress Monroe & raising a row there generally. I think they ought to stop her rambles some how. I hope you are well by this time and that the children are well. Give my love to them and to Kate Myers. I had a letter from Kate that I will answer when we get to some place where writing is easier done up than it is here. It is as much as I can get done to let you all Know how we are getting along, Your aff…Gus

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Camp Winfield Scott Va

Apl. 18, 1862

My Dear Mother

I recd your letter of 13th inst. And am very glad that you seem to be better. I am yet in good health, and all the co. We are all here some few not very well but none sick I recd a letter from Mag yesterday she said she hadnt heard from you since you had gone to

Freeport. She said they were all well. I had a letter from Tom Gales and they are all well about there.

Walter Williams captured a very pretty secesh flag near here and sent it to Mrs M Cafferty. I think the flag will raise quite an excitement about Curllsville I am glad that our company has sent the first rebel flag to Clarion Co.

Where abouts in Freeport do you live? I suppose Bob & Ike go to see you often. And I suppose Johnny is growing fast. I promised to send Smith Some money when we were paid off this time but the pay is so long Coming that I am afraid I cant make the promise good, as we will have a good deal to pay out here I cant tell exactly how it will be till we get paid & find out how much our bills against us will be however I will pay as soon as I can. Remember me to Smith, Sis, Mary Jane, & the boys The musn’t think strange that I do not write to each of them for I have nothing to write only what I write to you and I want you to write let them see the letters. It is a little (unknown) to write many letters here. When you see Mr Kean remember me to him & tell him that I recd his last letter just as we started out on our campaign and will write to him when we get to some more permanent stopping place Remember me to Saline Gibson. And to our old friends about Freeport I must stop writing & go out on drill, we still Keep that up: Hoping that this will find my Dear Mother still improving. I am aff… your Gus

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Camp Winfield Scott April. 25./62

Dr Mag

I recd your letter of the 20th last night. I was very glad to hear from you and that you were all well, and I am very glad too that you wrote to me cheerfully & encourageingly, It is one of the happy seasons in all soldier’s life when he receives a cheerful & encourage- -ing letter from the dear friends he leaves at home And it is equally as painful to get a letter that is of the opposite character I am well Our army is at work building bridges, making roads &c, and will be for some time yet, if the seceshers dont commence upon us every day we lay here before the fighting commences is a day of preparation, and a day towards the easier accomplishment of our work, and can still do much more to advantage but are ready to commence opperations at any time that our enemies may feel like opening upon us, I have 4 letters to write & only 2 envelopes & so I enclose 2 in one envelope.

Remember me to all the girls who asked to be remembered. Give my love to Maggie, Jim & Rhoda G. & tell her that I got the kiss

I suppose the chilldren are growing I am very anxious to see them. I am glad to hear that you are getting along well.

Uncle Sam is very slow about paying us we have nearly four months pay due us now. If you need any thing & there is any thing coming to me at Sligo (I dont Know if there is or not) you can get whatever you want there. I got a letter from Ben Heuey along with yours I enclose a note for Kate Myers as She is often at you house you can give it to her. I had a letter from Mother & M.J. a few days ago, the last letter I got from you was 3 weeks coming. Your (unknown)…Gus

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Camp Winfield Scott May 2nd /62

Dr Mag

I enclose ten dollars, you can use if you need it. I have notice that my balance at Sligo has been paid to Mother. I have not time to write only to tell you I am well. The Myers boys are well. Tell Julia I have tried to have her man but send her some money but cant prevail, she had better sell the horse. Walter Williams told me this morning that he had got a letter from home and the secesh flag had got up there, Yours aff …ly, W. G. Lowry. write as soon as you get this and let me know if you get the money. Gus

Camp Winfield Scott May 4/62

Dr. Mag

After wickedly banging away at us for 2 or 3 days, and finding that we still worked on without paying any attention to them, the Secesh left Yorktown in a hurry last night. We are ready to march & expect to start any moment. I am very well. Myers boys are well Gus

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Camp Winfield Scott

May 7. 1862

Dr Mother when I last wrote to you on Sunday, we were under marching orders and expected to be off before this, but we have been held back as a reserve, but expect to go up the river today.

There has been a battle in front. Our troops came up with the retreating army. We heard the cannonading all one of Monday. We don’t know any thing about the fight more than McClellan is victorious. We don’t get the news here as soon as you do, only just what we see ourselves. We see by the paper that the people up north are down upon McClellan because he didn’t have 1000 or so of us killed at Yorktown, and drove the enemy out of their strong hold with the shovel & pick, Perhaps the brave people at home don’t know that a soldiers life is as sweet to him as theirs is to them. And that soldiers love a General that loves & tries not to loose them.

If I ever get home and any person says any thing against Gen. McClellan I’ll whip them if I can.

I am well. The company are pretty well. If we move today I may not have a chance to write soon again. Love to all my friends Send this to Mag. I am not writing to her today.

Your Gus

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White House Va May 18./62

My Dear Mother

I recd a note from you at our last stopping place. I am still very well but the warm weather is making me lazy. I have a big brown hat about the size of big umbrella and am trying to Keep my beautiful countenance from freckling.

I had a letter from Mag a few days ago, send this to her as I will not have time to write to her tonight and we are to move again in the morning. We are about 23 miles from Richmond I was at the 103rd Regiment today and saw the Callensburg people, Mobly looks well Hays Alexander has been sick but is better now. Mr Macay has been sick and has resigned & gone home. Capt M. Macley & Myers are well, We are encamped upon a very large plantation, owned by one of the Lees of this state, and the plantation were Genl. Washington got his wife, It is a very pretty place, but rather too swampy to suit the taste of a native of Western Penna. There is one field of wheat of about 150 acres. The grain is about Knee high. & Uncle Sam is pasturing his horses and Cattle upon it now An army is a hard thing upon farms. There are about 150 niggers upon this place, they thought the northern men would kill about the half of them, but as we have not done that yet, I suppose They are arguably disappointed. The southerners have told their slaves some awful stories about what we would do to them, and they expected us to kill the useless ones & carry off the rest to some very bad place.

We have seen nothing of the Rebels since we left Yorktown. how long it will be before we get up to them again I cannot say. Our army is too large & the roads too bad for very rapid moving just now. We move forward in the morning I dont know how far but I think not more than 5 or 6 miles

John Myers had a letter from Kate the other day Kate said that Mag had gone to Pittsburg.

Mag says she has still lots of work. I am glad to hear it if she dont work too hard. Give my love to Smith Sis and the children & Remember me to all the old friends I would like to get home to help you move into the new mansion Smith is building for you Give my love to Mary Jane. Your aff… Gus

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West Point Va

May 20 1862

Dear Mag

We landed here at the head of York River some 30 miles from Richmond yesterday. We havent had any seceshers to shoot at us since we left York. Genl. McClellan is in advance and report says has had several fights. We know he has had 2 or 3 & has whipped the Chivalry, but we dont know any of the particulars.

It is very hard to get news in camp and we dont know when anything is true till we get it in the papers. I was very much surprised at the size of Yorktown. I expected to see a large town. It is as large as half of Curllsville and was all included in one of the forts.

Myers boys are well. The mail is going out soon and I have only time to write a line.

Give love to children. Remember me to sister and the young ladies in general. Gus

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Do not change the direction on my letters in any way

Camp near Gains’ Mills Va. May 26/62

My Dear Sister (Send this to Mag)

I recd your and mother’s letters of 19th inst. yesterday. I was very glad to get them and glad to hear of the news. I was rather surprised to hear of Miss Donelly’s marriage, and wish her much happiness. I would have been very glad to hear see Mr & Mrs Douthell. I am glad to hear that you got sight of that flag. Capt M. and Lt. Maclay have been sick but are getting better. Capt M. Did not have any better luck catching fish than we have had catching rebels. The 4th Michigan regt. (of our Brigade had quite a skirmish day before yesterday, they were out on a reconoisance, and crossed the “chickahom -ony” wading in water up to their waists and, drove a whole Brigade of Rebels back about a mile. and then made a successful retreat recross -ing the river. In the fight the 4th killed wounded & took prisoners about 150 of the rebels & their loss was two killed and 7 or 8 wounded. If that is not doing well I dont know.

Give my love to all those who have wished to be remembered to me. I like to hear of them And to hear that I am not forgotten by my old friends. I have’nt had time to write to Kate Drury yet. I have charge of the company most of the time now.

I have recd a slight promotion. I have been appointed acting Aid De-camp to Col McQuade now commanding our Brigade. Our Brigadier Genl. is now in command of the Division now. This arrangement may be temporary and may be permanent. If Genl. Morell resumes command of the Brigade again and Col. McQuade his reg. I will be ordered to the company again. I am still with the company and can not leave until Capt. M. & Lt. M. get better & able to take command of the company. I am sorry to leave the company, but I like to have my friends think I am doing as well as I can & that my commanders have some confidence in me. As a token of this I am pleased with and accept my appointment. My friends who have got it for me are Col. Black & Capt. Monks Good bye love to all. Gust

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Gains Mills Va May 30 62

My Dear Mother

I wrote you a little note yesterday telling you that we had got into a little fight. But I hadnt a chance to tell you much then nor have I very much time at present. I wrote to you about being appointed aid upon Col McQuade’s staff. I have been performing some of the functions appertaining unto said appointment but on (unknown) of not yet being able to “skirmish” a horse I was with the company the day of the affair. I have since been at the Brigade head quarters, But have not yet got a horse but hope to have one and all the rigging soon. Direct my letters to the Reg. as heretofore

Our regiment was very fortunate and only had 7 men wounded & none killed. The chivalry fought very hard for a while, but ran at last and left the road strewn with Knapsacks & every thing in the way of soldiers rigging. our men when we were going in threw away most of their blankets, but afterwards loaded themselves with all sorts of secesh traps, My only relic was a package of secesh envelopes in one of which I will enclose this letter. when I wrote to you near Hanover I didn’t know when we would get back here but we got marching orders afterwards & came back getting here about 12 oclock last night. Send This to Mag & Give my love to Mary Jane Sis, & Smith And all the friends, Gus

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Gains’ Mills, Va. June 4, 1862

Dr Mag

I will write you a line this morning and let you know that I am well. I never had better health than I have and I think I never was quite so lazy. Our Brigade got into a little fight at Hanover and got out very fortunately, loosin but very few men. Our Reg. Had 7 or 8 wounded, three in Capt. Maclay’s Co.

We chased the rebels till dark after we got them started and they didn’t stand long after our Brigade came up. If our Brigade had been 5 minutes later on the ground Marlindale’s Brigade would have been used up but we got in in time to wear them & turn the battle in our favor. Myers boys are well. Capt. & Will Maclay are getting better.

There was a hard battle to our front & left three days ago which we did not get into, in the eng. our forces were victorious. The weather has been very wet and has delayed our army very materially.

Remember me to all my friends round and about Currlsville.

Give my love to Maggie, Jim & Sid. I would like very very much to see you all.

I had a letter from home a few days ago.

I think we will move from here tomorrow. Yours affec…n..ly Gus

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Camp near Harrisons Bar July 8./62

My Dear Mother

I wrote you a note some days ago telling you of my safety. I have seen since that I am mentioned as wounded. I have to assure you again that I am unhurt.

On the day before(?) the fight at McChanicsville Genl. Griffin assumed command of our Brigade at 2 oclock. I went back to our regiment and col. Black appointed one acting adjutant but just as I was (under order of Col Black) marching out the regiment I was ordered to report to Genl. Griffin and as acting aid, and I have been with him since And as I am now entitled to drop the acting and sign myself a “Bona fide” Aid-De-Camp. I argue that I have succeeded in doing my duty in the three hard battles & one skirmish that we have gone throug in one week well enough to the satisfaction of my General that he thus appoints me permanently. I lived a long time in that one week of hard work hard fighting no rest and little to eat. Col. Black fell in our second battle, I was close to him but a moment before he fell, but was called away, and in a few moments more I found him dead. The regiment was pressing on and some of the men were gathered around him. I told them to go on & some they did. It was the last time I saw him and there. In him has gone a good brave soldier and a faithful friend.

I was offered by the Genl. a Captains commission on the appointment of Aid-De-Camp I did not like to be a capt and be assigned to a strange Co, besides I can have an opportunity of seeing & learning more on the staff, and too it is a little more prominent a position, and the service is not quite so hard. I mention this that you may know that I have tried to do my duty, and that my commanders are pleased, for it is reasonable to suppose if they thought I had not merited anything that I would have had no offers of advancement.

I like Genl. Griffin very much and he is a brave man. He assumed command of the Brigade at 2. Oclock and at 5 oclock the same day we were in the fight at McChanicsville. our Brigade relieved part of McCall’s Division The 4th Mich relieved the 5 Penn. & the 14th N.Y. a part of the Bucktails. the 4th Mich lost some 30 men that evening but that was but a beginning of our losses. Our Brigade lost 936 in killed & wounded & 1165 in killed wounded & missing, over 45 per cent of our whole no engaged.

Jim Penney was here hunting me the other day but I was off on duty and I could not get to see him.

It is very warm here. A little hotter than I ever saw it.

I am busy now and cant write more now. Give my love to all and send this letter to Mag Yours aff…Gus

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Head Quarters 2nd Brigade Morells Division July 18 1862

Dear Sister

Mag

I recd your letter a few days ago. I wrote to you just after the fights but you dont seem to have recd the letter.

You will please see Dan Conrad and give him my sincere thanks for kicking Jim McBride and I hope he will do it again. And I will hold myself to be under renewed obligatious to him every time he does the same thing. I am very well, all the Freeport boys that you know got through the battles without getting hurt. Bill Myers & John Freeman who were wounded & away at the Hospitals have got back and are good as new.

Remember me to all the folks & particularly to Ben Huey I have some business on hand, so I must close

Remember me to Mrs Lyon when you see her. I have written to Mr Lyon & to Ell lately

Your (unknown) - Gus - Enclosed please find 10$

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Camp Near Sharpsburg, Md.

Oct. 10, 1862

Dear Mag

I recd a little note from you yesterday. I was glad to hear of you good health & safe arrival home. I hope you had a pleasant journey & visit. Did you go to New Alexandria to see Mr. & Mrs. Robinson. I had heard of your visit to Saltsburg. Ben Huey is with us now & well. Myers boys are well. Please return my compliments to Mrs. Annie Cores. Ell Lyon is in our Corps and I see him often he seems to like a soldiers life very well. I have been back with the regiment for some time now and like it very well. Col. Sweitzer is away sick, but will not be away long. Our new Chaplain used to preach in Freeport and is very well acquainted with Mother & Mary Jane. He & I have long talks about the people in and about Freeport. When you write again tell me how you are getting along. I was a little bit sick for about a week but have got well again. I would like to visit home very much and see the new house and the furniture etc. When we get into winter quarters, if I am well then I shall try to get a furlough & see you all. I think of you all very much and long to see you. I think very often of the children. I hope they are all getting along well. Mary Jane wrote to me, that Jim was bragging great about the number of Uncles he has in the army.

I saw a Surgeon of the Washington artillery a short time ago, but forgot to ask him about Bob Moore. How are all the Salem folks Mrs. Logan, Mary &Mrs. Moore. I heard that Bob Clow was married. I saw George Reed from Salem at Harrisons Landing he has since been killed. Bruce Truby of Freeport was killed at the last battle. Remember me to all the girls. I intend to go and see them all as soon as possible. Remember me to Mrs. Lyon & the girls. Yours, Gus

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Head Quarters 62nd Reg. P.V.

Camp near Sharpsburg, MD.

Oct. 25, 1862

Dr Mag

I recd your letter this morning. I was glad to find you were all well. Tell Maggie that I am anxious to kiss you both & hope to do so this winter sometime. I am well. Smith is here now, he will stay a couple of days yet. I was very glad to see him. Mr. Lyon has been here & has gone home. I was very glad to see him. he looks as good humored as ever & took a good many good coughs while here. Smith is enjoying himself very much here. We have been all around among the soldiers. Dr. Reichardt had better be a McClellan man. All will have to be if this war is settled. I am very much obliged to him for his good opinion of me. Remember me to him when you see him. If you see Mr. Mateir remember me to him and tell him he’s right in going strong for McClellan.

I am glad to hear that Mr. Mateir is a McClellan man. I heard of Bob Moore about a week ago. I inquired of a man named Shepard in Shepardtown. Bob was at Harpers ferry when the Confederates were there and was well. He is orderly Sergeant in the Louisiana Artillery. He used to be in the Washington Artillery but is now in the Louisiana Artillery. I have very little doubt about this being Hetty Moore’s hometown and the description given tallied exactly with what I remember of Bob. Capt. Monks has resigned & gone home. Please write soon. Kiss Mag & Liddy. Goodbye, Gus

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Camp Near (missing piece)

Nov. 9. 1862

Dear Mother,

I last wrote (missing piece) Snickers Gap, we left that on (missing piece) morning and arrived here this morning. We have passed through a beautiful country sometimes upon the mountain and sometimes up in the valleys, while we lay at Snickers Gap I went up to the top of the mountains and looked over into Shenandoah valley. I never saw so much land at the same time before. I could see for 20 miles in all directions except back of me and looking down from the mountain I could not perceive the smaller hills & valleys and below me looked like a level plain with valages farm houses & woods apon it. The view was very beautiful and I shall not soon forget it. and besides I could see the camps of 10,000 or 15000 ‘seceshers” & it was something of an amusement to watch them. I am very well The weather is a little rough (missing piece) now. We had quite (missing piece) the other day & it has (missing piece)-ed every day. Our men (missing piece) coats & some of them no(missing piece)-s very hard upon them. (missing piece) most impossible to get (missing piece)-othing for the men. I see that some of the “home soldiers” are declaring that the army is all well clothed I happen to know better. & wish they would come out & see. They would learn better. I had a letter from Seph a few days ago. I send you a very “large puff” taken from the Clarion Banner. I suppose I am bound to be famous since I have got my name in the Clarion Co. papers. Ben Huey is well. He told me he had a letter from home a short time ago and that “sidy” was very sick. Is it so s. Send this letter to Mag.

I saw Ell Lyon day before yesterday. he is well. There is a report here that Genl. McClellan has been Superceded & the soldiers are swearing all sorts of vengeane upon some body for working against McClellan. I have had no letters for 2 weeks.

Good Bye Gus

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Camp Near Fallmouth Va Nov 30 1862

Dr Mag

I recd your letter of 16th inst. this evening. I had heard of Gussies illness & was very anxious and very sorry for her. I am heartily glad that she is better. I just got home from Washington where I was for a few days on duty. I met a great many acquaintances there none whom you know except John Leech who seems to take a great interest in me. Give my best love to Maggie and I enclose the picture of her estimable uncle for her. Tell her if she dont like to kiss it with the mustache on she can have it shaved. Mary Jane wrote that Dr Logan & his wife had been in Freeport and that the Dr said that Bob Moore and Bill Logan were in Salem now. Had you heard it? Remember me to all the folks! Ben Huey wishes to be remembered. Please write to me soon & tell me if you want any money. Yours affectionately, Gus

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Hd. Qrs. 62nd Reg. P.V.

Dec. 16. 1862

My Dear Sister

Mag

I am safely through another hard fight. Our forces were withdrawn from Fredericsburg last night Ell Lyon was in the fight & escaped unhurt, there were seven wounded in his co. Capt Ewing & John Mohney were both unable to go. There were 2 killed in my old Co. Harrison Moore & Wm Timms, & several wounded, all slyhtly, except one, Josh Knox who is wounded severely, Myers boys are all right, Dan Conrad & I think all the Curllsville boys in Ell Lyon Co. are safe. Ben Huey is safe

Remember me to all who inquire for me. Your aff…Gus

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Hd. Qrs. 62nd Reg P.V.

Mar 14. 1863

Dear Mag

I suppose you are in Curllsville by this time, I have been getting along in the old fashion since I came back to camp. The weather here is very cold for the last few days. The roads are drying up some so I suppose we will move before very long. George Fox has been here but I think has gone home again. He looked very well but was still lame. John Myers is well he tried to get a leave of absence but failed, I send you 5$ enclosed, If at any time you need money badly, you must write to me & tell me, I presume you are well enough acquainted with me to let me know when you are wanting any thing, It will allways be a pleasure for me to do any thing that I can for you,

While at home I heard that you did not like to stay in Curllsville and I had no time afterwards to speak to you about it. If you want to leave Curllsville, as soon as we get payed again I will send you money to move. Perhaps you had better try to stay where you are till I get home again and if I should ever go back to Sligo you might like Curllsville better then you do now.

I suppose Jim will go back to Freeport again, I think it will be better for him to stay in Freeport, However you I suppose are the best judge of that yourself and will do as you think best.

Give my best love to Maggie, Sidy, & Jim, Tell Mag after a while when the war is all over & I get home & get a house I want her to make us a long visit, that is if she will, Mattie will be in Clarion Co in April. She is in Saltsburg now, I have had some letters from her and she seemed quite pleased with her visit to Freeport, Remember me to Mrs Lyon & the rest of the Lyons when you see them Remember me to Sue Fox, and Mrs Roper & all the other who ask of me. Please write soon & tell me if you get this. Your Bro Gus

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Hd. Qrs. 62 Reg. P.V.

Camp Near Falmouth Va May 7th /63

My Dear Mother

Here we are after ten days of marching & fighting, back in our old camps. I don’t know why we are back here. I don’t think we were defeated. But we will all know more about it in a few days. The loss in our Regt. has been very slight. We were very fortunate we were under fire allmost constantly for three days & nights & our loss in killed & wounded only 13. no one whom you know is hurt. The 63rd Regt lost very heavily. Capt Geo McCulloch severely wound capt. Jim Ryan safe, I have had no letters since we started from camp the mails have been stopped. I think they will be on today. I saw Wm John Galbraith yesterday. I saw Ed Geary on the battle ground. I will write soon again. I haven’t time to write more at present. I expect to get a lot of letters today, & then I will answer them, Give my love to all

Yours affectionately, Gus

I had a letter from (unknown) Been(?) a short time ago May 11

Dear Mag, this letter this morning I thought perhaps you had not heard from gust (unknown) the battle - I went home with. She was very uneasy when I left her last thursday I suppose she has heard by this time we all well - They are expecting the nine months men home to tomorrow. I wish it were the three years men. do not feel like writing I am very tired I have been working in the garden kiss the children for me

your Mother.

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Hd. Qrs. 62nd Regt. P. V.

May 21, 1863

Dr. Mag

I have only time to drop you a note, I am very well, am on a Court Martial & have to go on a few moments, Myers boys are well, Ben Huey & all the Curllsville boys. I sent you a letter some 5 or 6 weeks ago with ten dolls enclosed You never told me of the receipt of it. please let me know if you got it. I sent you in all since I was at home 20$ Write soon as you get this and let me know how you are getting along

Your aff…Gus

Give love to Maggie, Siddy & Jim

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* about May 23, 1863.

Give love to all the children Your Bro Gus

Hd. Qrs. 1st Div. 5th Corps

Dr Mag

I recd your letter of 1st inst this evening. I will write a few lines this evening, while I wickedly smoke my evening cigar. I am on court Martial at Div. Hd. Qrs. about 8 miles from the Camp & am staying all night. I had a letter from Mattie tonight. She & Mother were to be at Curllsville next week, but from what she wrote. I don’t think Mother will be well enough to travel by that time. You want to know how soon we will fight. I can’t tell you that I am not overly anxious for fight but when we do I hope we will have better luck than we had the last time. Ben Huey & Myers boys are well. I am very well.

We are in a rather pleasant part of the country here. There are a good many nice looking girls here all pretty strongly secesh and as I am a married man I am not trying to convert any of them. I had a letter from Sis the other day. She said that Mother was sick. Mary was not well & that she (sis) had the headache I am glad to hear that the young ladies are all in a good state of health. You spoke of having a Miss Green working with you I used to know a Miss Green her name was Mary Jane Green I hope Mother will be well enough to go to Clarion Co. at the time Mattie spoke of, And hope you will all have a pleasant time. You asked me sometime ago if I was Lt. Col. I am not. I will let you know when I receive any promotions. I had a long talk with Ed. Geary he is taller than I am & seems quite a fine fellow & is spoken of as a very good officer.

[Written perpendicular to the text in the upper half of the Page 2] I sent you 5$ by express the other day Let me know when you need money - Gus

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Hd. Qrs. 62nd (missing) P.V.

May 25, 1863

Dear Sister

Your letter was recd day before yesterday. I was glad to hear from you. I am sorry that that letter with the ten dolls enclosed was lost. I sent a letter to Mattie & one Tom Gales about the same time and they were both lost, I expect too. As soon as we are paid again I will send you some money. Are you going to let Jim go to Freeport again? I had a letter from Mattie yesterday she was not very well. I saw Ell. Lyon the other day he is well, Ben Huey & the Myers boys are well.

I had a letter from Mr Mateer a short time ago, He is a good friend to me I think, but he was a little fast when he said that I had never turned my back upon the enemy. We all have to scratch gravel very industriously sometimes.

If you should need money badly before we get payed again let me know & I will get some for you.

I had a letter from Mother a few days ago.

The weather was very hot for a while here, today it is cool.

I am very well. Give my love to all the children & remember me to all the folks. Your aff… Gus

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Hd. Qrs. 62 Reg. P.V.

Camp at Kelleys ford Va

May 30th 1863

Dear Mag

Enclosed please find fifteen dollars, As the mails don’t seem to be very safe. I take this plan. I hope this will reach you soon. I am very well. We moved from our old camp, day before yesterday. We got here yesterday. We are guarding this ford, Give love to the children. Yours (unknown) W. G. Lowry

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June 19. 1863

Dr Mag

I will drop you a note, or write one, I mean and I may have a chance to send it to you. I have nothing to tell you only that I am well. We are laying between Centreville & Leesburg Va.

Myers boys & Ben Huey are well. I have heard that one of my young lady friends is teaching now in Curllsville, Miss Em. Wilson. Do you know her? I have nothing of importance to write and only write that you may know that I am well.

I have written to Mattie directing to Curllsville, but I am not certain that she is there at present Give my love to the children. Yours affectionately Gus