13 November 1864: “I hear that you have had supplementary drafts there and it has ruinated the township.”

Item Description: Letter from W. W. McKnight, Company E, 175th Ohio Volunteers in the hospital for jaundice at Columbia, Tenn., to his friend John Heaton in Fincastle, Ohio, describing his illness and the hometown boys in Company E and inquiring about the draft in Fincastle.

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Item Citation: From Unit 52 of the Federal Soldiers’ Letters, #3185, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Item Transcription:

Columbia Tenn Nov 13th 1864

Friend John,

I though I would write you a few lines this Sunday morning and let you know of my whereabouts.

I have been in the hospital one week yesterday.

I have the jaunders but am getting better. I have lost about 20 or 25 pounds since I come to the state of Tenn. The Doctor thinks I will be all right as soon as I get used to the climate and he says I must get used to the hard tack and sow belly for it was that that brought my sickness on in the first place. I am able to go around and go out in the country and get apples and vegetables.  The Fincastle boys of my company are here in town on detached duty.

Our regiment is scattered along the rail road for a distance of 50 miles to guard it but the Fincastle boys all got detached before the regiment was all taken away. Duffy is in the Post Saddler Shop and the rest of the boys are Post teamsters. We have never been paid anything yet and I don’t know how soon will be paid.

Well John I full sorry for my old township. I hear that you have had supplementary drafts there and it has ruinated the township. I do wish that the township had acted wise when we made the first effort there to clear the township.

I want you to write and give me all the particulars of the drafts and who all run away. Give my respects to every member of your family and believe that I am Fraternally yours.

W. W. McKnight

P.S. Direct to Columbia Tenn Co. E. 175 O.V.I.

 

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