MS 755 - Brigham Family Papers Transcripts (May - July 1865)

May 22, 1865

Red 2es 69th O,O,O
New Washington
May 22nd/65

Dear Eddie

I have re'd no letters from you since the 27th of March. I can not understand why, thinking that it may be possible you do not receive my letters I enclose this to Walter who will hand it you I shall write no more until I (----) from you

Yours as ever

Henry

May 31, 1865

Red 2es 69th Ohio Vol
Washington D.C.
May 31st /65

Dear Eddie

I thought that I would get a letter from you do day and was disappointed but I am going to be patient hereafter. I had one thing to console me no one else receive any, "misery likes company" All western troops belonging to Shermans army have been ordered to proceed to Louisville and remain there until further orders. The troops will be transported as repielly(?) as possible but I will take several days to move all of them I do not know when our turn will come whether first or last I am glad of it (---) it brings us so much nearer each other: I presume that I shall telegraph you to meet me in Cincinnati before many days will you come? We will not be paid until we arrive there. We are having what the boys call "featherbed soldiering" here that is nothing to do and plenty to eat heretofore we have had plenty to do and not much to eat I long to see you and am counting the days: If you are well enough to travel to Cin I presume you will receive a few kisses from the subsa(---) before the middle of next month. So dry up your tears "my Darling" but I will love you so much that you will forget all your troubles I wish you could have visited whislt we are here there are some things that are worth seeing, thought not nearly except the public buildings I have been so busy that I have been around but very little. Shermans army does not think much of the officials about Washington and the (---------) clock peddlers & rag or strap men do not like us. They never will forgive us for marching & appearing better than they did at the review. I do not think that there ever was a better army together than ours We marched over thirty miles per day all the way from Raleigh to Richmond, the men carrying their rucksacks haversack & shelter tents no army has ever done the like before but I guess I have boasted enough as I suppose it does not interest you very much. Since you have given up the idea of joining the army, I will certainly get a letter tomorrow will I not? Please remember me to all friends write long letters often and accept love and best wishes of

Henry

June 7, 1865

Red 2es 69th Ohio Vol Inf.
Washington D.C.
June 7th/65

Dear Eddie

It would have pleased me very much to have received a letter from you to day but to show you that I can be gracious under disappointments I will write you as usual to night I sent you a letter yesterday by Gen Hayes. I have not been away from camp to day, and have no news to write. I suppose that we will start for Louisville in a day or two and I presume will be mustered out shortly after our arrival; Although we have no official orders to that effect, Gen Hayes told me that Borber & Franks had been fighting do you know anything about it? I wish I could talk to you to night. It is hard to write letters when I do not receive any I am not complaining now but if I had received a letter to night I should have had some questions to answer and some to ask. As is it I must write something that I have written heretofore, or else tax my brains to make up something new. To be sure I might tell you about sitting under a "wide spreading oak" at the rear of my tent, and by the road side; watching the ladies & gentlemen as they ride past either on nice riding horses or in fine carriages, and wishing that you and I could enjoy the same pleasure; perhaps we may some day; but I would like to (---) some of my pleasure riding now would'nt you? Or tell you about laying upon my "virtuous (-----)" come thinking of a little woman (who is very dear to me) in (---) and wondering what she is doing, of when she is thinking. And whether it will be possible for a rough soldier to make her as happy through life as he desires to do. I might tell you about these things. but I guess I will wait until I get home and then we will talk of many things that we do not like to night I would'nt (-----) if you did keep me awake to talk: I am not going to write anything more about your coming to Louisville to see me, until I hear from you and learn whether such a thing is feasible or not. I hope the authorities will soon let us know whether we are to be discharged soon or held to service for several more Please tender my best wishes to Lgor & Libbie and any one else that may wish to hear of me

Good night love

Henry

July 22, 1865

Cam Dennison Ohio
July 22nd/65

Dear Eddie

The 69th arrived here day before yesterday. I think we will be paid off next week. As I wish to invest some money in Government Stock, it is quite likely that I shall go to Louisville before coming home. It will only make a few days difference. And it will be better than to come up only to turn right around and go back: If you cannot make use of (----) send him on up home with the horse and let him go to work at fathers until I get there. It is very wet here and is going to be unhealthy if it continues. I received your letter of the 14th inst after we had gone on board steamer at Louisville. We came up on the United States, Do not get out of patience waiting for me I will come as soon as I can. If I do not go to Louisville, I will as home next week if I do then the need after. I am afraid if I come have before going down there that there would be no chance of buying stock by the time I would get back. I do not feel very well to day this weather does not agree with me Give my love to all

Yours Affec.y

Henry

Fragments, n.d.

[Date unknown]

Dear Ednie

We have not moved from where we were when I wrote you two or three days ago nor is there anything new Except that the rebs have fallen back from our front where thy have gone of course we know not nor do we care I wish they would either send us after them or into winter quarters It is very unpleasant as we are Yesterday I made application & was sent back to the Regt. It is real cold No snow but frozen up hard (ripped) very un(ripped) too cold to write I had no paper nor anything to write with just now one of the boys wished me to write a line for him & I got a sheet of his paper & am writing by firelight I am well and think of you always You are very dear to me & I pass many hours thinking of you and planning what will be in the future I wish you would write me oftener I guess I get all the letters you send They are talking of reenlisting the Regt for the war under the new order and of course I am in for it What do you think of it The possibilities (ripped) we will have to stay no longer than we will under the present enlistment & if we do go in we will be just the county ahead in then recent & if it should last longer I shall stay as long as it lasts any way It is so disagreeable writing that I must stop

Write much love

Ever Yours

Birdsey(?)

[undated fragment]

... we will need here. Capt Kirk & the Adjutant are going to send for their wives. And if we are permitted to remain here dear have a pleasant time I shall probably send you a telegram when I find quarters. When you start please send a telegram. Stating what you will take (---) If you have not got money enough get some f Joel. Please write me immediately upon the receipt of this and let me know everything.

Receipt the love of

Henry

[undated letter fragment]

... before we will be mustered out As the last rebel army (Kirby Smith) has surrendered it is probable that the volunteers will soon be sent home enmasse. If anyone should happen to be coming here and you feel well enough and would like to come please telegraph me - And I will tell you if we are to stay here long enough to warrant it but you need not bring bed clothes as I told you in my last as I should find a boarding place for you. I sent you a telegram on the 24th inst Telling you that I had not heard from you for two months and asking if you were well; have received no answer but that does not matter now as I have heard more than I wished to hear. but if we can not be together we ought to be thankful that we are situated so that we can hear from eachother often "every cloud has its silvery lining" There was a very large crowd out to see the review Sherman's Army carried off the palm. Where do you fathers folks live now How much am I indebted to Guy allowing him $150,00 for year. Let me know the State of the finances there Have not received any letters except the two written upon the 15th & 25 of May. I presume the rest will be around soon You must write as often as you can, for I shall be anxious to hear from you every day. Tell me all about every body and everything, And be as cheerful and happy as possible under the circumstances remembering that hard as it may seem, we have yet much to be thankful for. There are so many homes that have been desolated by this terrible war that it seems wrong for us to complain at our lot.; Whenever you feel very bad remember that I love you very dearly and am

Your devoted
husband

H