Military Prison,

Tyler, Texas, Oct 1, 1864.

 

My very dear Wife:

            A mail was received here on the 29^th ult. by which several of our Regiment got letters. But Oh how great was my disappointment on getting none. It is now more than six months since I got the last one from you, and as I prize them so much, I look very anxiously for letters every mail. I got one from Capt. M^cNaughton dated July 26^th, stating that my family was well when Lt. West last heard from you, which was very gratifying to me.

 

            Capt M^cKitrick and Lieuts. Scott, Smithson, Flemming, Smith, M^cIntire and Marlow are still here with me—all of us quite well. We have lost twenty three men by death since we reached here, and have about 280 men yet; most of them in good health. There are many, however, somewhat troubled with scurvey and other diseases, such as diarrhea, chills, &c; but I hope the deaths will not be so numerous hereafter. I send you the names of those who have died with the date of their death, and their Co's, which please have published, for information of their friends. /

 

May 22,           John Calvert,   Co K.               Aug 13,           Simon West,     Co G.

June 29,           Reuben Taylor       B.                      18,           Ed. Richardson       B

July 1,             Jos Slotterbeck      F.                        21,          Hamilton F Davis   B

        6                     Slotterbeck,    F.

        8,             Martin Ward         G.                       31,          James Balderson,    F

      18,             Armstrong Grim   A.              Sept    1,          Howard Scott            G

      21,             Jas W. Morris        B.                         7,          Manassah M Hall    D

      21,             Jacob Decker        E.                          8           John Miller           K

      25,             John Connor          G.                       22           Barnabas Pearson     E

      27,             N. H. Balding       C.                        23           Roswell Kinney        I

Aug 3              Lahureth Davis     F.                        30           Wm. Lafayette Parr G.

Aug 4              Jacob K Long       E.                                                                          

        4              J W Hilton            B.                                                                    23

 

All but four or five of these are new recruits. We live on corn bread and beef alone—no coffee, sugar, beans or anything else. Still I do well on it; but many cannot.

 

            Oh, dearest, you know how very desirous I am of being with you. In twenty days my three years are out, and if I were not a prisoner, I would soon be with you. I hope for an early release, as it is rumored there is a general exchange. Tell daughter I should like to be at home on the 7^th—her twelfth birth day. I would give anything to see you all I think of my three fine boys all the time, and never forget their ma and their sister. I only hope you are all well and getting along well—and trust I may soon enjoy life with you /

 

I have heard nothing from fathers folks for a long time; and feel very anxious to hear from them. Father is now 75 years old, and mother over sixty—so I fear sometimes that I may never see them again. But I am hopeful, as you know, and look forward to a bright future.

 

            From what we see in the papers here, it seems probable that M^cClellan will be next President. [paper fold] he is a war man—that is, will fight the rebels for years, unless they lay down their arms, and take the Union as it was. I have not heard whether there have been any deaths, resignations or promotions among the officers of the 77^th at Little Rock. I should like to know.

 

            Tell "our girls" that I hope to be at home yet this winter, before the time for parties passes; and if so, we'll make one for them, won't we? Give them and all friends my regards. I suppose several of them will be married before I get home. Such "young ladies" as Emma and Linnie Drown will soon cut quite a figure at parties, I presume. How I should like see daughter and the boys go through their exercises on school examination days.

 

Write to all the friends, and tell them this is the only sheet of paper I have, or I would write more letters. (I will find enough to answer each of yours, by the time they come) / I got this of Col. Dryanne, author of the forthcoming book called "Camp and Prisons"—for which I wrote considerable, and furnished facts, in relation to Gen. Steele's campaigns. I am to have several copies. The $200 sent home by Express from Duvall's Bluffs was for your use. Father will send you money, and Lieut. West and Capt. M^cNaughton [paper fold] if you need it. Send for all you want and use it, as you would if I were not a prisoner.

 

            I have written you often, but I get no answers. Some of my letters, sent persons exchanged, I am sure must reach you. Do not fail to write because you suppose I may be exchanged. Rumors of exchange so frequently are untrue. As your letters would have to come through the hands of the enemy, write short ones, about family and personal matters only, put on a "Confed" as well as a U.S. stamp and direct "Capt AW M^cCormick, Prisoner of War, Tyler, Texas, Care of Exchange Agent at New Orleans".

Much love to you and the children

                                                                                                                                   

M^cC.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        Mrs. A W M^cCormick,

                                                                                    Marietta,

                                                                                                Ohio.

 

Favor of Lieut M^cCaffrey

48^th Ohio Vet. Vols.

SOURCES