Item Description: Letter, dated 30 June 1864, from George Hovey Cadman to his wife. Cadman (fl. 1862-1864) was a soldier in the 39th Ohio Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.
[Item transcription available below images.]
Item Citation: From the George Hovey Cadman Papers, #122, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Item Transcription:
In the field, Foot of Kennesaw Mountain. June 30, 1864 My ever dear Wife: Our regiment is out on picket and the skirmish line, but Capt. Orr ordered me to remain in to do some writing. It seems to me that I shall have the clerking to do again, as usual, but I am used to it and don’t mind it as much as I used to do. By the end of next month a great many of our officers will have left the service, as well as a great many of our men, and our regiment will be pretty small. What may take place then I can’t say, but suppose some of the regiments will be consolidated. I hope Capt. Orr will remain with us, but expect he is going to leave. The rebels still hold this big hill in our front, and there seems no disposition on the part of our Generals to hurry them off. It is the strongest natural fortification I have ever seen, and if they have food and ammunition, they may hold out for a long time, but I think when they do move, we shall take a great many prisoners. When they start from here I think the campaign will be virtually over, for they will hardly make another stand this side of the river, and the report is we shall not cross the river this campaign, but use the hot months in securing our lines of communication. The weather is intensely hot. I have not used my blanket for several nights. I just lie down on the ground anywhere and sleep till I wake. If you can I would like you to send me some word of Carrie’s husband, whether he is still in the service. I have not heard from him since the sinking of the Conestoga. You ask whether I want money. I do want a little to pay for my washing. I paid my last dime day before yesterday for washing my shirt and drawers. A few weeks ago I asked you to send me a few ten cent chips, but suppose you did not get the letter. I lost one of my check shirts at the hospital. I gave it to a nigger to wash, and never saw him or the shirt after. But I got one from a man in our company who wears the same kind. A lad in Co. G who was wounded in the leg by a piece of shell is going home for sixty days. I believe, Esther, I would be willing to take his wound to get home, and shall not forget the lesson easily. And, my dear I hope you keep your spirits up, and do not allow yourself to worry or fret over my absence. Kiss Phil for me; how I would like to see his little round fat face once more. Tell him Pa often thinks of him. Remember me to George, ask him to write and tell me all the news and how he likes his place. Please remember me to all my friends. Tell them they must not be offended if I do not write to them, but I have not the opportunity. I should be very glad to get a letter from any of them who wold take the trouble to write to me. And now, my ever dear wife, I must once more bid you adieu, and that God may bless you and our dear children is the constant prayer of Your affectionate husband, George H. Cadman