All spelling is exactly like he wrote it. ( ) Are not readable.
1
August 28, 1864
Camp Curtin
My Beloved Wife,
I now seat myself on a Knapsack to write you a few lines to let you know
that I am Soldering now dear Kate. 1 don't want you to think it hard of me
for going and not telling you I did not Lake the notion till a Thursday dinner
time to go and as they were going to start right away I had not time to come
over to see you before I started. But I hope you will not take it hard as
I know of no other way to do as I found we could not raise all the men in
our Township and it was reported that there was another call for more men
and I thought I would be drafted anyhow. Then I would have to go without
getting bounty and drafted soldiers are not used as well as if they enlist
and go. I got Three hundred dollars. I put two hundred on interest and one
hundred I got in money. I send you twenty five dollars now and I will send
you fifty more after a while. You get yourself what clothes you need. Betty
Emigh said they wanted you to come and live with them till I come home. Now
Kate, I do not think you can get a better place and I would like if you would
go there. Aunt Kate will take as good care of you as anybody, and when ever
you go to her house you will be treated well. Mother said she would treat
you as well as she would me. And Kate, I want you to go there still to see
them as it will look better than if you would not go there still I know you
are welcome to come there. And now Kate I don't want you to think that I
did not think anything of you that I went far from that Kate. And Kate I
intend to lead a sober life and play no cards or anything bad and if I live
to get safe back I will then be able to go to House keeping right. I will
save my money but anything you need I will give you. And now Kate I want
you to be true to me and I will be true to you. And now Kate I tell you I
like soldering first rate and the next letter I write I will tell you more.
About if you go to Uncle John's to live you can get that bed and put it up
for your self. And now I must bid you goodly for this time you need not write
till I write again and I can tell you where to write.
H. Whitaker
2
September 3, 1864
Camp Curtin
Dear Wife,
I seat myself this morning to write you a few lines to let you know that
I am well and in good spirits. We are ready to leave here and I guess we
will leave today. We have our guns and everything ready for a fight with
the Rebs but we may not get near a fight for some time. Perhaps not this
winter. I beleive we are going to Chambersburg from here. We did not get
our State bounty yet but I hope we will get it before long. I had intended
to send you some more money but I lent some to some of my friends till they
would get their bounty and as they did not get it yet I am not send until
they pay it back. I will send it to you we have plenty to eat here. The boys
are all well. I want you to write soon and let me know if you got my other
letter and the money I sent you will direct your letter to Henry Whitaker
Camp Curtin Pennsylvania in care of Capt. Sprice Company C. 205 Reg. Dear
Kate I can't write much but when we get settled again I will write you a
long letter. I am Corporal in the Company now dear Kate. Forgive me for leaving
without letting you know it and don't forget to write Soon.
From Your Affectionate Husband,
Harry Whitaker
If we do leave if you direct your letter as I said it will be sent after
us.
H. W.
3
September 10, 1864
Arlington Heights
Dear Wife,
I now seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well
and in good spirit We left Harrisburg last Monday morning and arrived here
on Wednesday evening. We lay close to Washington City we can see all over
the city. I was in the United States Capitol once Wednesday morning. It is
worth seeing. It covers 3 acres of ground and is built of solid marble. We
stoped in Baltimore as we came through and got our dinners at the soldiers
( ) it is a large city and has some beautiful buildings in it. It would take
me a week to tell you all I seen but if I live to get home I will tell you
all. I seen well, dearest wife. I hope you are in good health I was looking
for a letter from you before now but perhaps you did not get mine right away.
I saw Uncle John and David Kelly on last Sunday. They told me that you had
not come over to Uncle John Emighs then yet if you have no letters on the
road when you get this write as soon as you get this and let me know. Whether
you got the money I sent you . This is a hard looking place in Old Virginia
the ( ? ) and buildings are all gone and it looks like a ( ? ). I think we
will stay here for some time the men have to drill 2 hours in the forenoon
and 2 in the after. I am a Corporal and I only need to drill about one hour
but then the Colonel himself drills me. Then I must help to drill the company.
I would send you more money but I lent some of the men money and we did not
get our state bounty yet so I did not get it yet I must quit for this time.
H. Whitaker
4
September 22,1864
Camp near Bermuda Hundred
Dearly Beloved Wife,
I seize on the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to inform you
that I am very well and getting fat and dirty. We are now within 8 miles
of Petersburg where there is plenty of Rebs. We were within four miles (
) to drill. We had slept in a camp about a mile from here and the next day
after we moved away from there the Rebs threw a shell right where we had
been laying. So you may know that we were pretty close to the Rebels but
we have a good place to stay now and the Colonel says we will stay here.
He thinks a month anyhow. We have put up a first rate tent. It rained all
night last night and we were so dry as if we had been in a bandbox. George
C. Emigh and Christ Emigh and I are in a tent together. We have plenty of
hard tack and meat and sugar and coffee and beans and onions and dried peaches
an if you come down to our house we will give you your dinner and we will
made good coffee for you. Bring your sewing along and stay all day. When
you come it is only about six hundred red miles, you could go home after
supper. Well Kate I must stop writing foolishness and tell you that I am
glad I went without being drafted. Although I went hard with me to leave
you. We brought fifteen hundred men down from Washington who were drafted.
I tell you it looked hard to see them drove down here like cattle and put
right in to active service. The rest of the boys are in good health and spirits.
I hope this letter will find you well. 1 want you to go to Mother and tell
her how I am getting along. I will write to her soon. Tell Christianna that
George is well and tell Mrs. Barr that Reuben is well I think I must close
for this time. I would have wrote sooner but I was waiting for a letter from
you but did not get one yet Write soon after you get this and direct to company
C, 205 Reg, Washington, D. C. care Capt. Sprice.
From your affectionate Husband
Corporal Harry Whitaker
5
September 26, 1864
Camp near Bermuda Hundred
Dear Wife,
I seat myself this fine Sabbath day to write these few lines to let you know
that 1 received your kind and welcome letter on Thursday evening. I should
have answered sooner but I was Corporal of the Brigade Guard on Friday and
Saturday till ten o'clock then 1 had to get ready for Regimental Inspection
and this morning I was on inspection with a paper collar on and shoes blacked
and clean shirt on as though I was going to get married or go to church,
or something of that kind But now inspection is over and I am clear for today
and I can write and let you know that I am well and in good spirits and I
hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. Well Kate I
want you to keep up your spirits and don't trouble your self about me. I
am getting along first rate. I getting as fat as can be and I am raising
pretty good mustache and gotee. And if live to get home am afraid you won't
know me. You said in your letter that Mrs. Barr wanted you to come and live
with her. Reuben and I was talking about it he would like if you would go
and live with her so I am agreed for you to go and live with her. I think
you will get along first rate. I would like to send you some more money but
we did not get our State bounty yet If I would have known it I could have
fifty dollars just as well as twenty five but some of the boys had not brought
enough along and wanted borrow some till they would get their state bounty.
But they have not got it yet so I canÆt get it yet but I lent George
Biddle five dollars and Henry Fouse five dollars and I think I can get them
to write home and get them at home to pay it to you I hope we will be paid
off before long. You wanted me to send you my likeness. I could have got
it taken at Harrisburg but I wanted to wait till I got Corporal Stripes and
now I have no chance but as soon as I get a chance I will get it taken for
you. I will be very glad to see that likeness you are going to send me in
about six months. I still have the old likeness yet and carry it next my
heart IL cheers me up when ever I look at it. I am very well contented and
whenever we march and stop as soon as I, get my tent up and a tin of coffee
made then I am at home. Well Kate, my paper pretty near full and I must quit
for this time. I hope to hear from you soon
I Remain Your Truly Beloved
H Whitaker
The boys are all well
6
Camp Near City Point
October 1, 1864
Dear Wife
I seat myself in my tent today as it is raining to answer your kind and welcome
letter which I received last evening. 1 was very glad to hear that you was
well but I was very sorry to hear of Elisabeth Hoovers death but such is
our doom we must all die sooner or later but I hope that your temporal loss
will be her spiritual gain Tell Jacob Hoover that I sympathize with him very
much but this world is but a world of trouble and if we die happy we are
better off in the other world where parting will be no more. Where man and
wife will never be separated. Well dear wife you wanted to know how I liked
soldiering. Well dear, I like soldiering well enough although it seems hard
to leave the wife I love so much behind but we will trust in God and he will
do what he thinks is best and he can bring us together again And then I hope
we may live a long and happy life together. You wanted to know whether I
thought the war would soon be over. Well dear wife the prospects are very
good. I think but still I don't know yet, how it may go yet But I think the
Rebels will soon have to give up General Grant gaining on them every day
they have been fighting very hard for the last few days up at Petersburg
about eight miles from where we lay last evening. They fought very hard but
I have heard no news today yet. But I still hope it will soon be over. And
Peace and prosperity reign once more. But I think the election will make
a change anyhow. Tell your father and William to attend the election and
do all they can and we will trust that it go right for McCIelen is very much
thought of in the army every where and I hope he will be elected. I am very
glad you sent me that lock of hair it is very nice and I have put it in your
likeness and will keep it till I come home if I live to get home. You said
you wanted me to get it a present but down here in Dixie is poor? place to
get a present. But when I get a chance to get one for it I will. You said
you would like to have my likeness but 1 canÆt get one taken here.
But I will get one as soon as I can for you. Well Kate I guess I must bring
my letter to a close. I have written you one since I received jour other
letter. You said you were going to stay at home this winter. You can do as
you please but I would advise you to be careful and not run around back and
forwards to much. So good by dear wife. Write soon again. Direct to Washington
DC Co. C, 205 Reg.
Henry Whitaker
7
October 3, 1864
Near City Point Camp of the 205 Regiment
Dear Wife,
I now take the opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that
I am well and I hope that these few lines may find you well. 1 am wnting
on a Rebel Cartridge Box. I am Corporal of the outside picket post I am about
2 miles from camp. I have three guards on the post with me. We came out here
yesterday morning and will stay here till tomorrow morning when we will go
to camp again I have nothing to do but to place the guards at night and then
I can lay down. Making a move for fear the Rebs get the news through the
papers so you must not think hard of it or think I have forgotten you if
you donÆt get answers to you letters right away. But I want you to
write often as it does me good to hear from you. Still and when the mail
comes I drop everything and run to see if there is a letter for me. I want
to let me know if you have any money yet for I can't send you any yet as
we will not be paid off for some time yet. But as soon as I get some send
you some. I am almost out of postage stamps and we can not get them here
so I may have to send some letters without the postage then you will have
to pay it before you can lift the letter. There can no one send letters that
way but soldiers. I don't care about having any money down here as we canÆt
buy much if we have money. I sometimes buy a few onions if we get out we
donÆt very often draw onions. I have just taken my dinner. I had a
tin of coffee and sugar and I soaked some crackers in the coffee and I tell
you it ain't hard to take of a person is hungry. I never had better health
in my life and I am very thankf ull for i~ The rest of the boys are well
except George C. Emigh he is not as well as he might be. Well dearest Kate
I guess I must close for this time and I hope you will write soon and let
me know how you are getting along. If you can't just get somebody to write
why write yourself. I can read it just as well. My best respects to all the
friends and relations. So good by dear wife for this time.
From your truly affectionate husband
H. Whitaker
8
October 9, 1864
Camp near Old Court House
Dearly Beloved Wife,
It is with great pleasure that I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines
to inform you that I am well at present and I sincerely hope that these few
lines may find you enjoying good health and spirit. We have been here two
weeks which is longer than we staid at one place since we left Camp Curtin.
We have made a port here and they have thrown up rifle pits all the way from
the Appomatics River to the James River. A distance of about ten miles. I
tell you work goes fast when there is about a thousand men at Regiment yet
and we have a large regiment The boys are nearly all out working on the
fortification I am acting Commissary Sargent as our Commissary Sargent is
sick. I was up this morning at three o'clock and helped the Quarter master
to give out the rations to the whole regiment I weighed out six barrels and
a half of pork before daylight and now I am clear till dinner time when I
must give out the rations to the company. Yesterday was the election We bad
an election poll open here and voted the same as if we had been at home.
I am very glad I did not wait for the draft for I tell you there is a big
difference between volinteering and being drafted. They are bringing drafted
men in allmost every day. I hear some talk of us staying here to garrison
the fort we are building here. I would be very glad if we would as it is
a nice place here and good water handy to camp and timber enough to build
winter quarters. I am writing before the tent on a home made table made out
of the boards of a cracker box or rather a hard tack box It takes good teeth
to eat our hard tack but we get bread some time We get plenty of coffee to
soak the hard tack You know I drank very little coffee before I came to the
army. But if I live to get home you can look out for a regular coffee drinker.
But there is not much danger of any person drinking to much whiskey here
for that is played out I had a good mess of sweet potatoes the other day.
We get them from the settlers Three of us got as many as we could eat for
thirty cents. Where you are going to stay and then take good care of yourself.
Write soon again for I am very glad to hear from you Still give my best respects.
to all the rest I close for this time.
Your Affectionate Husband
Harry Whitaker
PS Excuse my bad pen
Direct to Washington D. C., Care Capt. Sprice Co. 205 Reg.
9
October 12, 1864
Camp near Old court House
Dear Wife,
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I seat myself this morning to write
you a few lines to let you know that I am in the very best of spirits and
health. And I sincerely hope that these few lines may find you m good health
which is the greatest blessing God can bestow upon us, and for which we should
be thankful There is several of the boys have got the Agne but not very bad
but season for the Agne. I think is nearly over. Other ways we have been
very lucky so far yet as there has been but one death in the whole. Very
heavy firing last up about Petersburg but we have had no particular news
for the last few days Well I guess I must bring my letter to a close for
this by sending my best respects to all enquiring friends. Your affectionate
Husband
Harry Whitaker
Direct to Washington as you did before. I had no stamp for on this letter.
10
October 14, 1864
Camp near Battery Walker, VA
Dear Wife,
It is with pleasure and gratification that I seat myself to write you a few
lines to let you know that I received your kind and welcome letter. And was
very glad to hear. from you and to hear that you was well 1 must tell you
that we were moved here last Friday. We are now laying near the James River
and the Duch Gap we are now putting up winter quarters I understand we are
to stay here this winter. We are not very far from the Rebels Now if we go
about two hundred yards from our camp we can see the Rebel picket But we
have good works between us, John Oaks and David Kelly are laying close to
it. They have been here to see us and I was over at their camp. Well Kate
I guess you had a gay time at Nan's wedding. I should liked to have been
there but. it is played out with me for a while. I am sorry to hear that
some of the vally girls have been unfortunate but accidents will happen in
the best of families Well Dear Kate I hope God will spare us to meet again
I know you will have a good bit to go through and I would like to be with
you but dear I can't be with you now but I hope and pray you will have good
luck. If I live to get home nothing but death will part 'IL I would not have
left you in the condition you was for the world But I could see no other
way to get clear of the draft But 1 hope you will take care of yourself and
I will try and do the same And then we may be happy together yet. George
C. Emigh has gone to the hospital he has not been well this long time. But
one thing I must be thankfull for I am in good health I never was healthier
in my life. I got a letter from mother the other day. She was well. Well
Kate I have had no chance to get my likeness taken yet But as soon as I can
I will get it taken and sent it to you so that you can see how your Old Man
looks soldiering. Well Kate I have not much to write of importance so I will
close by sending my respects to all enquiring friends and my best wishes
to my new brother-in- law and his wife.
From Your Beloved Husband
Harry Whitaker
11
October 18, 1854
Camp near Old Court House Virginia
Dearly beloved Wife
It is with pleasure that I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you
know that I received your most kind and welcome letter of the 10th a few
minutes ago and was glad to hear from you. The letter found me enjoying the
very best health and I hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same
blessing. I just came in from taking the pickets rations out and I got a
good mess of grapes and persimons There is some of the largest grapes down
here I ever saw in my life. Some are as large as a hickory nuts. The persimmons
are very nice and good what are ripe but if they are not ripe they draw a
persons mouth up in the right shape to whistle. Well Kate I wish you could
see how Old Virginia is used up about here. You can't see a fence, a gate
for miles all that buildings are burnt away except now and then a house.
But a person can see where there was some splendid buildings and the nicest
kind of fruit trees and flowers. But every thing is forsaken and the people
gone. But in all my travels I have not seen a place half so dear to my heart
as the home I left behind me. But I have left the wife I loved and the home
I cherished and gone to serve in a good cause and if God spared my life that
I may come again perhaps we will have peace in our once happy Country and
then people can enjoy their cheerful homes in happiness again. Well dear
Kate although I would sooner be with you yet I like soldiering first rate.
The time passes away very fast and the time will soon slip round. The rest
of the boys are well except Henry Burket he has been sick for a few days
but he is getting better again. You said in your letter that it was very
lonesome. Well dear Kate you must try and content your self without me till
I come home again. Well dear Kate I suppose you think I have a strange kind
of letter paper. I am out of paper and our Regimental sutter has not got
his goods yet. So I thought I would write on this report. I think he will
get his goods today or tomorrow and then I can get plenty of paper. I am
Commesary Sargent yet and I think I will get the office as the Captain wants
me to take it. I guess I must close for this time. Write soon as it does
me good to hear from you. The way you say you must not get all my letters
for I write two every week. Give my respects to all at home. So good by Dear
Wife.
From Your afectionate Husband,
Harry Whitaker
12
October 30, 1884
Camp near Old Court House VA
Dear Wife,
I seat myself this pleasent Sabeth morning to write you a few lines to let
you know that I received your kind and welcome letter of the 19th of October
and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well. I am in very
good health and I hope when these few lines comes to hand they may find you
in good health and good spirits. You said in your letter you was very lonesome
and that wished I was at home. I would like very much to be at home with
you but I hope the war will soon be over and then I can come home to my dear
wife. But Kate you must try and content yourself till I get home. You said
that the draft did not go off yet but Kate nobody had went so there would
have been a draft in our Township and would just as likely have hit me as
any body else. Well Kate I must tell you that I was at City Point yesterday.
In the first place I went to the hospital and seen a lot of wounded and sick
soldiers. In the next place I went to see a lot of Rebel Prisoner there was
about fifteen hundred of them. They were taken Thursday night. I talked with
them. One of them gave me fifty cents of their money for ten cents of our
money. It is of no use but I will send it to you for I guess you never saw
any of their money. They look pretty raged and dirty. After I had seen the
Rebs I went to see them butcher beef for the army. They killed three while
I was there. I saw General Grant and I saw a great many other things I had
never saw before. We get fresh beef here most every other day and fresh bread
3 or 4 times a week. We are going to put up winter quarters next week. I
think we will get to stay here this winter. I think we will be paid off before
long as they are making out the pay rolls now. I will send you my money then.
I would to send it sooner for I guess you will soon need it but I was
disappointed I thought we would get the state bounty before now or I would
have taken more money when I got the Township bounty. But I thought I would
put the most of it on interest and send you the state bounty. They said we
should get the state bounty before we would leave Harrisburg. But as soon
as we are paid I will. send you the money. But if you must have some before
I get perhaps you can borrow a little till I send you some. And now dear
Kate I don't want you to trouble yourself about me. I will try and take good
care of myself and if I live to get home nothing but death will part us again
I must close for this time. Write soon again for I am anxious to. hear form
you. Still I write twice a week of course you can't write as often for you
havenÆt as good a chance to write. Give my respects to all enquiring
friends.
From Your Affectionate Husband
Henry Whitaker
13
November 5, 1854
Camp near Old Court House VA
Dear Wife,
I seat myself this morning to answer your kind and welcome letter which came
to hand last evening. 1 was very glad to hear from you and to hear you was
well The letter found me enjoying very good health for which I am very thankfull.
Well Kate I must tell you that we have our house put up and I think we will
stay here this winter. Christ Emigh, George Rhodes and the two George. Emighs
and I have put up a first rate house. We got the brick for the chimney at
a rebels house that was torn down. We live very warm and comfortable now
and we get first rate living now we get fresh beef and fresh bread three
times a week. I have got a very good situation. Now I am commisary Sargent
the Captain said last evening that he wanted me to keep that office as he
found they could not cheat me as they had cheated some of the Sargent I have
no duty to except attending to drawing the rations and giving them out to
the men. I have ninety six men to draw rations for. I will have to draw today
again for two. I will be busy today but tomorrow won't have much to do. Well
next Tuesday will be the election and then I think Uncle Abe will have to
shoulder his ( ? ) and go to the woods and split rails again and give! little
Mac the White House for 4 years. The last letter I wrote you I put in that
I was going to send you some Rebel money and I closed the letter and forgot
it. But this time I enclose it . There was a Rebel Prisoner gave it to me
at City Court. Well I suppose you had fine fun at your house last Thursday.
I should like to have been there to see the fun but tell the happy couple
that I wish them a happy journey through life. May their path ever be smooth
and lived with roses and may no wars or drafts ever part then and may Mr.
Neoggle never scold his wife and may she never use the fire shovel or broom
about his head and finally may their children never be cross. I suppose I
must close for this time give my respects to all enquiring friends and excuse
my bad writing as my pen is had. Write soon as I am anxious still to hear
from you. From Your Affectionate Husband
Harry Whitaker
14
November 8, 1854
Camp near Old Court House VA
Dear Wife, It is with pleasure that I seize these few leisure moments to
write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and I sincerily hope
these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessings. Today is the election
day. I have put in my vote and as I have nothing else to do I thought I would
have a talk with you. But I must talk to you with pen and ink I would give
most anything to be with you and have a talk with you But we must be contented
for our Country must be defended and I feel proud in assisting to do so.
But I hope not long the Rebellion will be crushed out and the defenders of
the Union be permitted to return to their homes their wives and their sweethearts
to enjoy peace and prosperity beneath the folds of the Gallant old flag which
was the pride of our forefathers. Well dear wife I hope you well contented
for IL would pain me very much to know that you were dissatisfied with me
for going to the army and leaving you in the condition you are but I thought
it was the best thing I could do so you must forgive me this time but you
shall have every thing you want I am sorry we have not got our pay yet so
I could send you some money for I know you would need some. But I think we
will be paid off before long. We were mustered for pay a week ago but perhaps
you can borrow a little. We are paid off. I must tell that Christ Emigh got
news the other day that Miss Lytle had forsaken him and had another beau.
It kind of raised Christ's hair but he says he does not care whether school
keeps or not. I got a letter from Isaac Detwiler the other day the folks
were all well on Piny Creek. I have heard nothing of John Oaks and David
Kelly for some time. I don't know where they are now. I have some notion
to hunt them up a Sunday if I live so long. Well Dear I have not thing of
importance to write this time so I think I will close for this time hoping
to hear from you soon again. Give my respects to all at home.
From Your Affectionate Husband
Henry Whitaker
15
November 19, 1864
James River
Dear Wife,
It is with pleasure that I seat myself this morning to write you a few lines
to let you know that I received your kind and welcome letter of the l0th
of November and was very glad to hear that you was well and I have seated
myself to answer it. I must let you know that I am well at preasent and I
hope these few lines will find you still enjoying good health. Well Kate
you said you wished this month was over well I wish there was about nine
months around so that I could come home and see you. I hope the war will
not last long for it seems a long Lime to be away from you It is hard to
tell how long it may last yet but I hope God will spare us to meet again
I saw John Oaks and David Kelly the other day. They were well. Tell William
that I will write him a letter as soon as I can. I have not got time to write
much now as we are supporting a Battery and I don't know how soon we will
have to go in the words. We were in them all last night so you must excuse
my short letter this time. I will write in a day or so again it is raining
here today.
Give my respects to all enquiring friends.
From Your Affectionate Husband
H. Whitaker
16
November 24, 1864
Camp near Duch Gap
Dear Wife,
I seat myself this evening to write you a few lines to let you know that
I am well and further I must let you know that I received your letter today
and was glad to hear that you was well I must tell you that we moved into
our winter quarters today. We have very good houses to stay in if we get
to stay here but I hope the war will soon be over and then we can come home
to live but still it is hard to tell how it may go yet. I should try and
get a forlough this winter but I guess it is a little doubtfull about getting
one. But I would like to see you and have a talk with you but I hope we shall
live to meet and have some good Limes together yet for 1 never was so happy
and contented in my life as I was since we were married till I came to the
army. I seem very lonesome away from you and I feel very anxious still to
know how you are getting along. But I hope you will have good luck Well dear
Kate I am glad to see you write so well. I can read your writings very well
and it gives me great satisfaction to read your letters. I saw David Kelly
yeaterday. Him and Uncle John are well I got a letter from Isaac Detwiler
the folks are all well on Piny Creek. Well Kate I have not got much news
to write this time so you must excuse my short letter. This I have been so
busy for a few days or I would have wrote Will a letter. Give my Respects
to all enquiring friends. Write soon again.
From Your Husband
Henry Whitaker
17
December 1,1864
Dear Wife,
I now seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that I received
your letter today and was glad to hear from you. Again the letter found me
in good health we have been moving around a good bit this week. We left the
James River last Sunday and marched all day on Sunday and Monday and a Monday
evening we came to Fort Emory. On Monday evening we staid there till Wednesday
morning when we left there and came here this morning. We are laying near
the Railroad. I don't know how long we will stay here for I ,don't care much.
I can content myself anywhere but 1 would sooner be at home with I you. There
is a great deal of talk about peace' being made this winter and I hope there
will' be peace made and the war come to a close so that the soldiers could
go home to their friends. It is quite warm and pleasent here. Well dear Kate
1 hope when this letter comes to hand it will find you well ( ? ) come home
and I will stay with you for it seems very lonesome to be away from you so
long but you are with your friends and I know you will be taken care of till
I come home. I will willingly pay them what it cost to keep you as soon as
we get paid off. I will send you my money. I wish they would pay us off for
I know you would need the money. I ( ? ) that I said you ( ? ) made me feel
( ? ) but when I got awake I was away down in Dixie. I suppose Henry ?rode
feels pretty cheap these times but it can't be helped now. I think he would
better marry her and be done with it If he thinks he can live with her. But
if he thinks they can't live peacebly. together they would better stay apart
Well I guess Nan is as happy as can be since she' has a man I think she done
very well Well Kate I guess I must close for this time. I hope to hear good
news from you one of these days Give my respects to all the friends. I saw
John Oaks and David Kelly yesterday there are not far from here. Good by
for this time.
From Your Husband
Henry Whitaker
18
December 8, 1864
Camp of the 205 Reg. near Hancock Station
Dear Wife,
I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that I received your
kind letter of the 30th and was very glad to hear from you and I hope this
letter will find you in as good health as can be expected under the present
circumstances. I look very anxiously. still for your letters for I feel very
anxious to hear from you. But I hope ere this letter comes to hand you will
be past your danger. I got a letter from home a few days ago they were all
well then I must tell you that Uncle John Oaks took dinner with us yesterday..
They are not far from us. Well dear Kate I still feel glad that I did not
wait to be drafted for I see them bringing in drafted men nearly every day.
I hardly think we will get into any' fights this fall and I think the war
will play out this winter. I have not much time to write in day time as we
are drilling now. We had not drilled much before we came here. I must now
go out and drill awhile and then I will finish writing. I could get excused
but I want to learn all I can so that I know something about soldiering when
I come home. Well now I will tell you that Elizabeth Brenaman is married
but I guess you know that long ago. Her and Jacob Keagy took a trip to
Philadelphia Well I guess they can afford to take a spree. Will Kate if there
is any chance of getting a furlough this winter I will try and come home
but may be the war will be over till spring and then I can come home to stay
which would be much nicer. Well I guess I must close for this time So good
by Darling.
From Your Husband
H. Whitaker
19
December 15,1864
Camp near Hancock Station
Dear Wife,
I now take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to let you know that I
received your 'kind and welcome letter this morning and was quite proud to
hear the good news I should like very much to be with you to see the baby
but 1 am glad to hear you are stout and when this letter comes to hand I
hope you will take good care of yourself and the baby till I come home. The
last letter wrote you I told you I thought we would leave here but the order
was countermanded and perhaps we will stay here this winter. I will try and
get a fourlough if I can this winter. I should like to come home on a visit
but I am still in the hopes we can come home next spring to stay for I think
the war will be over till then. You said I should give the baby a name. Well
Kate I am not particular about names. I will leave you to decide that you
can call it Anything you please but Dinah well dear wife I have nothing of
importance to write this time so I will close. Kiss the baby for me. Good
by.
From Your Affectionate Husband
Henry Whitaker
20
December 19, 1864.
Camp near Hancock Station Virginia
Dear Wife,
I seat myself today as I have nothing particular to do to write you a few
lines to let you know that I am well at preseant and I hope these few lines
may find you and the baby well I guess it does not seem so lonesome now and
I hope you are contented. I will try and get a forlough if I can this winter.
Sometime they say they will soon begin to give forloughs it is not that I
am tired soldiering that I want to come home but I would like to come home
and see my dear wife and I have some money to collect in Martinsburg which
I have coming for Beef yes I like soldiering well enough but I would be as
glad as anybody if the war was over. I am still Commisary Sargent and I don't
need to be out at night on picket It is not so very cold down here yet. I
don't think it will get so very cold down here. IL was midling cold some
days back but it did not last long. The news is very good General Butler
has taken one of the Rebel Forts and the Railroad between Petersburg and
Richmond. General Shirman is advancing through Georgia That is the news we
have here. I hope it is true. Uncle John and David Kelly were here on Saturday.
They are getting along first rate. I got a letter from mother the other day
she says they are all well. The Piny Creekers are going to send us Piny Creek
boys a box. I guess we will have a high old time then. I am in hopes we will
be paid off before long for I think it is soon time we would get some pay.
We have had easy times since we were on the Raid. We have done nothing since
we have a warm tent to stay in. We are right along the Railroad the cars
are passing along every two hours. I have not much to write this time. You
must my short letter for this time I will try and write more the next time.
I must draw three or four days rations today and issue them out. The rest
of the boys are well. George Burket was here to see me yesterday. Well dear
I must close and go and cut up some beef.
From Your Truly Affectionate Husband
Harry Whitaker
21
December 25,1864
Camp near Hancock Station Va
Dear Wife,
It is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines to
let you know that I am well and I cencerily hope these few lines will find
you in good health. Well Kate today is Christmas. I wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year. I hope next Christmas we will be together. This has
been the lonesomest Christmas I ever seen and more than all I have got no
letter from you since 1 got the one you wrote on the sixth of this month.
But I know you have a poor chance to write now so I will wait patently although
I am very anxious to hear from you I have not seen Uncle John for a week.
I did not get down to his Regiment this week as I had rations to draw and
could not go away. I saw a man out of their company today he said he and
Kelly were well. Well Kate 1 guess you have some pretty cold weather up in
Old Pennsylvania It is midline cold down here but I got warm clothes I got
a new coat this week and I have two pair of pants but one pair has a hole
right where I set down. I must put a flick on tomorrow. Well we had two cans
of oysters for supper last evening and I tell you they was not hard to (
? ) for it just takes me to cook oysters and if I was at home on New Year
I would get 2 cans and make an old fashion soup Well Kate (? ) so a God forsaken
place you can't see a dog, cat, chicken or anything else but soldier Well
Kate I understand we are to be paid off next month I hope we will for I would
like to send you some money. Well the news is very good. General Sherman
has to the City of Savanah and with it he took General Hardee and Eighteen
hundred men. I still think the war will be over till spring. Well Kate I
must quit writing for this time so good by darling.
Your Affectionate Husband
Henry Whitaker
22
January 1, 1985
Camp near Hancock Station Virginia
Dear Wife,
I wish you a Happy New Year this morning. Well I must tell you that I received
a letter of the (?) December yesterday morning and was very glad to hear
from you. I was sorry to hear you were not very well but I hope when these
few lines comes to hand they will find you well. I am well with the exception
of the cold which I have had. ( ? ) like to at home today to spend New Years
with you. I got a letter this morning from Piny Creek. The folks were all
well on Piny Creek. We were mustard for pay yesterday again we have four
months pay coming. Now I understand we are to be paid off on the fifteenth.
I think it would have good to have been up there to went deer hunting with
your father. Him and I often talked about hunting deer this winter' but perhaps
we will be able to hunt next. winter together. Well Kate you wanted me to
name the baby. Well I am not very particular about names perhaps the name
won't please you if I give it one. If I must name it call it Nancy and tell
Nan if ever she has one and it is a female she must call it after me. I was
down to see Uncle John and Dave Kelly the other day. They were well. They
said they got no letter for sometime from home. The rest of the boys are
well and in good spirit Well have very little write this time. You must excuse
my short letter. Give my respect to all at home.
From Your Truly Affectionate Husband
Henry Whitaker