MS 997 - Sarah V. Elder Dicken Papers Transcripts (July - December 1862)

Title	MS 997 - Sarah V. Elder Dicken Papers Transcripts (July - December 1862)
	July 25, 1862 Camp near Brig Porte Tenn A Scrap leter From Mr. JH Dicken July 25th 62 My dear Friend Sade I juste received your kind favor dated July 14th & it gave too me greate relief too hear that you was all write that is in the line of good health for health is the seate of life when we loose our breath then life will Soon follow there four you can see we ar on half wrations there four I feel a little under the weather at this present time all though god onley knows when we will get on hole wrations again but I hope that it wont be long any more or relce not will soon crall in too our holes & close the dores up [ripped] the rebelse cannot get a holt of us well this is a plenty of that talk at this time there four I feel as though I would juste as leave be at home or relce some where else juste as good. But oh we ar here & as far we ar intend too stand up too the rack wheather there is any fader in it or not but I am glad of wone thing & that is if the news is true what is in this camp at this present time the newes is that richmond is in ashes and all taken prisner but 30 thousand but this is camp talk but wone thing is sertain if this thing is knot a little beter we will half too eather dissnrty or starve there four as for the disurting parte & will never doo as long as thare is a thing in these parts for a white man too live on I in tend too have mi share of it. when I get out juste as and there four I and him dos prety well that is for the liven part but of all the swairing a bout those half wrations I never heard in all of my small prarte of my life why they don't swair juste buy the worde but they sware buy note as near as I can tell some swair that they will juste disurte but they don't for this [ripped] they hate the name of a disurter & think that will doo an that question. well I cannot hardley get my thoughts call lectted long a nuf too write you a fine leter too you at this present time but all that wish for \r & hope for is that god will spair mi life a few years yet & then I shal bee out again. oh a solger I am & a solger I long too be the (----) & the life of a solger for me but I think that when my time is out I think that I will tri & be contented too enliste too be a home, be a homre camered or a home guard this all about that question at this present time. O jess I had all moste forgoten too answer your leter but time a nuf yet but not saing that you did not write a big leter at tall for this wreason. I (---) let an old friend look over it and he said that Sade could feel the hold stat of Kansas (---) a composing a leter for this reason, he thought that you was a school teacher for that was his busness. Ah well, this is a plenty for that. A little a bout our march here too this camp we had a prety hard time too march until we got here in this camp all though we have had onley 15 miles too march on this last march but it was on half rations and it was prety hard for us too march it for we had too doo it in double quick time. There was a great many that did knot get in too camp for a quite a long time after the regment did but it went prety hard for me for just as soon as I got in too camp they put me on guard. It was a raining it did rain prety near all that knight and I hat to be out and make the guards and get the corporals to take them a wround on there of that guards --- posts that is all Another little small question and that is this I wish that I would a bin there too that party I think that I would a went write in too there cakes wheather they wanted me too or knot. I think that I and my old musket would a ben right in too there eatables in short meter. This is all that question at this time. A little more that is this we was out on picket a few days a gow. We was out on the Tennessee river off on the apasite side stoode the rebels pickets and they would halloo across the river at us and ask us how like to live on half rations. The order that we had that knight was that we should knot hold a conversation with them at tall, then we auto be still. Oh I could write a great deel more at this time about thos rebels but time will knot admit of it at this time. Jesse sends his best respects to you and all of the wreste of the folks of that plase & he says that he will write prety soon. I want you too write too me and let me know all about things there in general. This is all for this present time. I remain your sincere June 30, 1862 Alabama Monday morning June the 30 /62 I received your moste kind & moste forgten too write too me but I will axcuse you for it for for the mail did not get too us for a bout 1 month but on looking over your leter I found it too be juste the 5 but the wreason that we did not get our male was that we was on a march down toward Chatanooga we ar in a camt with in 7 miles of huntisvill Alabama this is all of that story for I cannot tell wheather we will gte too Chatanooga or knot for this wreason we have a greate maney different orders too get a long with this is all of that story now I shal tell you a little a bout the weather here in this state the weather is a little warm at this time & the dust has ben pretty bad for marching all through we can gow it pretty well we have had some rain wich was very good on us at this time for the dust was a bout 3 or 4 inches deep this is all of this story as the wore a coming too a close I cannot tell a word a bout for we get sow little newes a bout it that it looks as though we was elected for our three years all though the newes is that the fiting is a bout at an end & I think that after I heard of Richman & Catanooa being taken then I think that we will get too get too come back a gain too our olde tramping ground wher I long too be at a gain and too have some of that same kind of sporte that we have had too geather a about the time you sead if you wat to sleep why there is the bead you can go too bead if you wan too .. I often think of them few words often and still hope that time will not be far distent long till I will be permited too have the privilege of giting that good chance too gow in a bed a gain you sed that you heard me say ha Jackson is a tolerable good place for yong folks too be there I am glad too think tat there is a chance for the solgers yet if knot at home there is a fite some where else in this world therefore you muste knot think harde of wat little I do write for I half too write on double quick time it akes a man with a heab as long as a horse too write a big leter ont this kind of miserable piece of road that we half too travel on at this time all though I will tritoo write a beter leter on the next reception of the leter that you will write when you will answer this wone now I shal give you a small detail of what we have too eat and what it costs us too get any thing elce I have just ben too diner we had for diner crackers & coffee was all as for anything elce I cannot tell when we shal git it but I hope it wonte be long this is all I want you too keepe those leters that I send too too you for I think it will be very interesting for me too wred them when I get back there a gain for I can not keepe those that you write too me for this wreason I doo not write any thing onley what is the trooth & the trooth onley if I do get too writ and a pretty harde pice of paper at times I could write a great deel more if I was knot on guarde but I think that I can write a great deel more than you can reade any how there foure I gess that I have writin a plenty of hard scribeling at this time all though I shall write a little more to you sow you may now how I and Jesse is a geting a long here we are in pety good health at this time all though I have a set of prety sore eyes at this time that is all at this time we ar in a prety harde place that we ar in at this time there four I want you too knot forget too write a note too me about those fair sicts of that place you stated in your letter that there was a few of those home Guard have gone & my cousin JW Dicken had gone too all that I can say for him that is I think that he will wish that it was knot him all though it will onley be for the Small time of three, monthes it is not like as though it was for three years this is all of that story. the weather warm the harvest is all cut and threshed here as for the litle pies we half too play onely wonee quarter of a dolar a piece & a litle ball of corn dou with out any salt is ten cnts and sow on that is the way that the rebels sels too the solgers here this is all I want you too do is too answer this soon as this comes too hand I still remain your sincer friend untill death from e tter J.H Dicken toe Miss Sade Direct your leter in the same way that you did before write soon and oblige me this is all good buy for this time but I would lik too be there too spend the forth but I think that it will be lik I spent it like I did laste fourth September 23, 1862 Camp Wallace Sept 23rd [1862] Miss Sade I should have writen before this time but I expect to be at home one week ago last Sabbath but instead of being at home I was shipped to Dilg we left Camp Toled the 11th at 6 oclock P.M. arrived at this place the next day at about 2 oclock P.M. slept on the ground with nothing but our Blankets over us. - we left this place on a Reconnoitrance last Thursday and returned yesterday afternoon we captured three men and six Horses that blonged to Colonel Morgan we had gone as far as Critendon Ky. - our cook is to have three Days Rations readdy by two Oclock. - the report is that we are going up the Ohio River. I like Soldiers life very well but still it is not as pleasant as it is at home and nothing in comparison with the happy times when in your company. My thoughts are frequently called back to the times 2 use to have but those times are over till this accursed Rebellion is over. - My health is good at present I must close for the preasent Write Soon Yours Truly Sade Elder Dryden Direct Co G 111th Regt in care of Capt McCord Co G 111th Regt O.V.I. in care of Capt. McCord October 7, 1862 Shelbyvill Oct the 7th/62 Miss Sarah Elder The time having arrived in which I am at libety I deed it a duty as well as a pleasure for me to converse with you through the medium of my pen. The first thing that I will talk to you about is our travails. We left Camp Toledo Sept the 11th and took the cars for Cincinnati, we arrived at Cincinnati at twelve Oclock the next day there we found plenty of friends and they treated us as such. They have some of the best looking ladies there I ever saw and they all waved their handkerchieves when we marched into the city and they treated us to all we could eat. You better believe that made the Sandusky Co. boys feel their oats for you know they admire good looking girls. We staid in Cincinnati that night and the next day till 9 Oclock and then we marched across the Ohio river into Kentucky whare we remained for two or three weeks. While we were lying there we were formed in line of battle two of three time and on thursday before we left there we were sent out as a reconnoitre but the Recreant curses when they heard that we were coming run and we did not get a pop at them. We marched South as far as Crittenden a distance of 40 miles and then returned to our Camp. We left Camp Wallis Sept the 24th and took the boat for Louisvill, we arrived at Louisvill the 26th where we found plenty of soldiers, and they still kept coming in. Buell's Division from Alibama came in the next day the old 49th was with them of corse and when I heard the 49 had came in I got a pass and went over to their quarters about as quick as I could, I soon found the boys I knew the boys were all well that was there Jesy Decon Cousin Nat John Ash & Eli Louman were very jovil your boy was not there they left him at Nashvill sick Jesy told me he thought he was discharged by that time. The 101 Reg were encamped close there but I did not get to go to see them some of the boys cam over to our Rege'd. Ash & J. Decon come over and I was very glad to see them. We left Louisvill the 3d of Oct at 3 Oclock and marched till 2 Oclock that nigh we had a very hard time of it we went double quick part of the time when we Camped that night we had only one third of our Reg left. the rest were all give out we only had 15 men left in our Company the rest were strung along the road some of them come in that night so that we had 44 men to start with the next morning leaving more than half of our Company behind; the 44 men were good pluck and stuck to gether all day. We arrived at Shelbyvill at 9 Oclock that night the boys were coming in all the day we had runn ashore of crackers and had nothing to eat but squashes and fresh pear and that we stole and it is 9 Oclock and I will quit for this evening. Sade this is the twelvth and a very pleasant Sabath after noon it is therefore I resume any seat to finish the letter I commenced to write to you on the 4th. I intended to finish it the next day but I did not from the fact that we were called up that night at 3 Oclock and ordered to take our arms as quick as quick as we could and get ready to march for Frankford we started for the place above mentioned we had got about three miles on our way when one of our waggons broke down and Co. K & G were detailed to stay there while it was repaired. We got ready to move about 6 Oclock that afternoon and we had to march through to Frankford that night we got there at 5 Oclock in the morning. Our Cavalry had quite a skermish that night in Frankfort they killed 25 of the rebels and wounded 9 they said they made them skadadle up the hill like lightning. We sarted out on a march last night marched till about 10 Oclock eat afiew crackers and laid down to sleep laid till 8 Oclock when we were waked up very quietly and started of double quick thinking we would catch the them this time we marched 6 miles but did not see many rebels we took 6 Prissoners and had to march back to Camp without a fight There was quite a skirmish in the town we are now at last thursday the name of this town is Laranceburg, after Buells Division had marched through their was 18 waggons and about 400 men who supported them were taken. The Prissoners I believe were paroled at least som of them were for I saw one of them he was out of the 49 Reg he said he did not know what they done with the rest of them. Sadie I have learned how is goes to lay out of doors we have not slept in tents since we left Camp Toledo, Sade excuse my misstakes for I have a hardpace to write. Please write soon Direct to ran Lousville in Care of Capt McCord 111 Reg OVI Co. G. JH Boor October 24, 1862 Clarksburg, Oct. 24th 1862 Sade - While lying supiney on my back in my most noble & virtuous couch, studying out a complete surprise for some one. I concluded to make you my subject and after much thought & mature deliberation it was was decided that a letter from the indefatigable Cessa of the 12th Regt. O.V.I. U.S.A. would completely accomplish that end - hence I write My intrigue brings almost visibly to mind these lines of Shakespere - "Man's inhumanity to man Makes countless millions mourn" How full of humanity the following lines - Teach me to feel anothers woe And hide that falt I see - That mercy I to others show That mercy show to me. I long I hear you soliloquiying thus: It must be an unfeeling heart that, in the wake of repeating sentiments so full of religion - humanity & the escense of right, can usher a note like this in the presence of a modest young lady" - I confess it a sriped trick but my purpose is fixed and like the laws of the Meades \r & Persians cannot be changed - Listen Sade - let me give you a clue to a trick with which to punish me - Mate me and pay with the same corn - and a larger bushel. I have had a long tour since my last note - likewise an exciting and interesting one - For sixteen long days I have marched to the music of the rifle, cannon and the sound of the screaching shell and whistling bullet & by the way, some of the latter came rather to close to be comfortable - I could feel the wind as they passed me - In places on the battle ground of South Mountain, I could step from one dead body to another - just as I used to step from log to log in my fathers clearing. Horrible - This reminds me again of Shakespere's lines before cited. At Antietam it was much worse - In many places on that bloody field dead men lay in heaps friend and foe - I do not doubt that Genl Lee lost 30,000 men from the time he entered Maryland till he quit her soil - while our loss did not excede 12,000 - besides those taken prisoners at Harpers Ferry - I think our prospects are brighter now than ever before - Our army is more formidable and better equipped then ever before - Our Ironclads are almost complete. besides every thing be taken energy and unity of purpose among our Genls - Sade - in any men single or not - able to Shoulder a soldiers musket says anything derogotory to Genl Mac's ability as military commander knock him over with the [----] you come to without ceremony or appology - Write soon Address Good Bye {Will Cessna {Co D 12 Regt Ohio {via Parkersburg {West Va - December 26, 1862 Bowling Green [Ky] Dec 26th [1862?] Your kind and highly interesting Letter of Dec 18th was recd yesterday morning. I began to think you had forgoten me but when I lernd that you had not recd my Letter but a few days before you wrote I began to think other wise. - you stated in your Letter that you ware So busily engaged at Schoold I will tell you as near as I can how much time Unkle Sams boys have to play. firs we have Roll call at 6.00 A.M. Company Drill from 9 Ocl to 12 Battallion Drill from 2 Ocl untill 4 after Battallion Drills Dresperade. we get in camp about 5 Ocl P.M. then Roll call and Roll Call at 9 Ocl in the eavening. And every fifth day we are on Pickett. - that is the way Unkle Sams boys play. - we ware on Picket last Tuesday. I was Corporal of one post I sent two of the boys after water they took the Canteens and a gun Jacob Cram shot a Rabbit the Officer of the Guards came and ordered me to put him under arrest I went to the Officer of the day and got him excused. he was very glad when I told him he was all right. - We had a very Sober Christmas their was nothing going on that day but Dresperade. the Old Col was at Bowling Green neary all day and the bigest part of Co G was not very far from that place. - Sadie you wanted to know whare James H Boor was, the last I saw him at Loranceburg Kentucky he was taken to Louisvile, Hospital No 8 ward No3 he was very Sick for awhile when he first came their. - the next time I heard from him he was wurs the last time I heard of him he was very Sick. that was about three weeks ago. the boys in our Copmany are all anxious to See him. I think he will be all right in a few days. Sadie I must tell you that Brother Danl is going to be Married New Years day to Miss King he wanted me to come home but that is impossible for me it is time for Dressperade I must close for this time Yours Truly Dryden Write Soon Direct as before

Title

July 25, 1862

Camp near Brig Porte Tenn
A Scrap leter

From Mr. JH Dicken July 25th 62

My dear Friend Sade

I juste received your kind favor dated July 14th & it gave too me greate relief too hear that you was all write that is in the line of good health for health is the seate of life when we loose our breath then life will Soon follow there four you can see we ar on half wrations there four I feel a little under the weather at this present time all though god onley knows when we will get on hole wrations again but I hope that it wont be long any more or relce not will soon crall in too our holes & close the dores up [ripped] the rebelse cannot get a holt of us well this is a plenty of that talk at this time there four I feel as though I would juste as leave be at home or relce some where else juste as good. But oh we ar here & as far we ar intend too stand up too the rack wheather there is any fader in it or not but I am glad of wone thing & that is if the news is true what is in this camp at this present time the newes is that richmond is in ashes and all taken prisner but 30 thousand but this is camp talk but wone thing is sertain if this thing is knot a little beter we will half too eather dissnrty or starve there four as for the disurting parte & will never doo as long as thare is a thing in these parts for a white man too live on I in tend too have mi share of it. when I get out juste as and there four I and him dos prety well that is for the liven part but of all the swairing a bout those half wrations I never heard in all of my small prarte of my life why they don't swair juste buy the worde but they sware buy note as near as I can tell some swair that they will juste disurte but they don't for this [ripped] they hate the name of a disurter & think that will doo an that question. well I cannot hardley get my thoughts call lectted long a nuf too write you a fine leter too you at this present time but all that wish for \r & hope for is that god will spair mi life a few years yet & then I shal bee out again. oh a solger I am & a solger I long too be the (----) & the life of a solger for me but I think that when my time is out I think that I will tri & be contented too enliste too be a home, be a homre camered or a home guard this all about that question at this present time. O jess I had all moste forgoten too answer your leter but time a nuf yet but not saing that you did not write a big leter at tall for this wreason. I (---) let an old friend look over it and he said that Sade could feel the hold stat of Kansas (---) a composing a leter for this reason, he thought that you was a school teacher for that was his busness. Ah well, this is a plenty for that. A little a bout our march here too this camp we had a prety hard time too march until we got here in this camp all though we have had onley 15 miles too march on this last march but it was on half rations and it was prety hard for us too march it for we had too doo it in double quick time. There was a great many that did knot get in too camp for a quite a long time after the regment did but it went prety hard for me for just as soon as I got in too camp they put me on guard. It was a raining it did rain prety near all that knight and I hat to be out and make the guards and get the corporals to take them a wround on there of that guards --- posts that is all

Another little small question and that is this I wish that I would a bin there too that party I think that I would a went write in too there cakes wheather they wanted me too or knot. I think that I and my old musket would a ben right in too there eatables in short meter. This is all that question at this time.

A little more that is this we was out on picket a few days a gow. We was out on the Tennessee river off on the apasite side stoode the rebels pickets and they would halloo across the river at us and ask us how like to live on half rations. The order that we had that knight was that we should knot hold a conversation with them at tall, then we auto be still. Oh I could write a great deel more at this time about thos rebels but time will knot admit of it at this time. Jesse sends his best respects to you and all of the wreste of the folks of that plase & he says that he will write prety soon. I want you too write too me and let me know all about things there in general. This is all for this present time. I remain your sincere

June 30, 1862

Alabama
Monday morning June the 30 /62

I received your moste kind & moste forgten too write too me but I will axcuse you for it for for the mail did not get too us for a bout 1 month but on looking over your leter I found it too be juste the 5 but the wreason that we did not get our male was that we was on a march down toward Chatanooga we ar in a camt with in 7 miles of huntisvill Alabama this is all of that story for I cannot tell wheather we will gte too Chatanooga or knot for this wreason we have a greate maney different orders too get a long with this is all of that story now I shal tell you a little a bout the weather here in this state the weather is a little warm at this time & the dust has ben pretty bad for marching all through we can gow it pretty well we have had some rain wich was very good on us at this time for the dust was a bout 3 or 4 inches deep this is all of this story as the wore a coming too a close I cannot tell a word a bout for we get sow little newes a bout it that it looks as though we was elected for our three years all though the newes is that the fiting is a bout at an end & I think that after I heard of Richman & Catanooa being taken then I think that we will get too get too come back a gain too our olde tramping ground wher I long too be at a gain and too have some of that same kind of sporte that we have had too geather a about the time you sead if you wat to sleep why there is the bead you can go too bead if you wan too .. I often think of them few words often and still hope that time will not be far distent long till I will be permited too have the privilege of giting that good chance too gow in a bed a gain you sed that you heard me say ha Jackson is a tolerable good place for yong folks too be there I am glad too think tat there is a chance for the solgers yet if knot at home there is a fite some where else in this world therefore you muste knot think harde of wat little I do write for I half too write on double quick time it akes a man with a heab as long as a horse too write a big leter ont this kind of miserable piece of road that we half too travel on at this time all though I will tritoo write a beter leter on the next reception of the leter that you will write when you will answer this wone now I shal give you a small detail of what we have too eat and what it costs us too get any thing elce I have just ben too diner we had for diner crackers & coffee was all as for anything elce I cannot tell when we shal git it but I hope it wonte be long this is all I want you too keepe those leters that I send too too you for I think it will be very interesting for me too wred them when I get back there a gain for I can not keepe those that you write too me for this wreason I doo not write any thing onley what is the trooth & the trooth onley if I do get too writ and a pretty harde pice of paper at times I could write a great deel more if I was knot on guarde but I think that I can write a great deel more than you can reade any how there foure I gess that I have writin a plenty of hard scribeling at this time all though I shall write a little more to you sow you may now how I and Jesse is a geting a long here we are in pety good health at this time all though I have a set of prety sore eyes at this time that is all at this time we ar in a prety harde place that we ar in at this time there four I want you too knot forget too write a note too me about those fair sicts of that place you stated in your letter that there was a few of those home Guard have gone & my cousin JW Dicken had gone too all that I can say for him that is I think that he will wish that it was knot him all though it will onley be for the Small time of three, monthes it is not like as though it was for three years this is all of that story. the weather warm the harvest is all cut and threshed here as for the litle pies we half too play onely wonee quarter of a dolar a piece & a litle ball of corn dou with out any salt is ten cnts and sow on that is the way that the rebels sels too the solgers here this is all I want you too do is too answer this soon as this comes too hand I still remain your sincer friend untill death from e tter J.H Dicken toe Miss Sade Direct your leter in the same way that you did before write soon and oblige me this is all good buy for this time but I would lik too be there too spend the forth but I think that it will be lik I spent it like I did laste fourth

September 23, 1862

Camp Wallace Sept 23rd [1862]

Miss Sade

I should have writen before this time but I expect to be at home one week ago last Sabbath but instead of being at home I was shipped to Dilg we left Camp Toled the 11th at 6 oclock P.M. arrived at this place the next day at about 2 oclock P.M. slept on the ground with nothing but our Blankets over us. - we left this place on a Reconnoitrance last Thursday and returned yesterday afternoon we captured three men and six Horses that blonged to Colonel Morgan we had gone as far as Critendon Ky. - our cook is to have three Days Rations readdy by two Oclock. - the report is that we are going up the Ohio River.

I like Soldiers life very well but still it is not as pleasant as it is at home and nothing in comparison with the happy times when in your company. My thoughts are frequently called back to the times 2 use to have but those times are over till this accursed Rebellion is over. -

My health is good at present I must close for the preasent

Write Soon

Yours Truly

Sade Elder

Dryden

Direct
Co G 111th Regt
in care of Capt McCord

Co G 111th Regt O.V.I.
in care of Capt. McCord

October 7, 1862

Shelbyvill Oct the 7th/62

Miss Sarah Elder

The time having arrived in which I am at libety I deed it a duty as well as a pleasure for me to converse with you through the medium of my pen. The first thing that I will talk to you about is our travails. We left Camp Toledo Sept the 11th and took the cars for Cincinnati, we arrived at Cincinnati at twelve Oclock the next day there we found plenty of friends and they treated us as such. They have some of the best looking ladies there I ever saw and they all waved their handkerchieves when we marched into the city and they treated us to all we could eat. You better believe that made the Sandusky Co. boys feel their oats for you know they admire good looking girls. We staid in Cincinnati that night and the next day till 9 Oclock and then we marched across the Ohio river into Kentucky whare we remained for two or three weeks. While we were lying there we were formed in line of battle two of three time and on thursday before we left there we were sent out as a reconnoitre but the Recreant curses when they heard that we were coming run and we did not get a pop at them. We marched South as far as Crittenden a distance of 40 miles and then returned to our Camp. We left Camp Wallis Sept the 24th and took the boat for Louisvill, we arrived at Louisvill the 26th where we found plenty of soldiers, and they still kept coming in. Buell's Division from Alibama came in the next day the old 49th was with them of corse and when I heard the 49 had came in I got a pass and went over to their quarters about as quick as I could, I soon found the boys I knew the boys were all well that was there Jesy Decon Cousin Nat John Ash & Eli Louman were very jovil your boy was not there they left him at Nashvill sick Jesy told me he thought he was discharged by that time. The 101 Reg were encamped close there but I did not get to go to see them some of the boys cam over to our Rege'd. Ash & J. Decon come over and I was very glad to see them. We left Louisvill the 3d of Oct at 3 Oclock and marched till 2 Oclock that nigh we had a very hard time of it we went double quick part of the time when we Camped that night we had only one third of our Reg left. the rest were all give out we only had 15 men left in our Company the rest were strung along the road some of them come in that night so that we had 44 men to start with the next morning leaving more than half of our Company behind; the 44 men were good pluck and stuck to gether all day.

We arrived at Shelbyvill at 9 Oclock that night the boys were coming in all the day we had runn ashore of crackers and had nothing to eat but squashes and fresh pear and that we stole and it is 9 Oclock and I will quit for this evening.

Sade this is the twelvth and a very pleasant Sabath after noon it is therefore I resume any seat to finish the letter I commenced to write to you on the 4th. I intended to finish it the next day but I did not from the fact that we were called up that night at 3 Oclock and ordered to take our arms as quick as quick as we could and get ready to march for Frankford we started for the place above mentioned we had got about three miles on our way when one of our waggons broke down and Co. K & G were detailed to stay there while it was repaired. We got ready to move about 6 Oclock that afternoon and we had to march through to Frankford that night we got there at 5 Oclock in the morning. Our Cavalry had quite a skermish that night in Frankfort they killed 25 of the rebels and wounded 9 they said they made them skadadle up the hill like lightning. We sarted out on a march last night marched till about 10 Oclock eat afiew crackers and laid down to sleep laid till 8 Oclock when we were waked up very quietly and started of double quick thinking we would catch the them this time we marched 6 miles but did not see many rebels we took 6 Prissoners and had to march back to Camp without a fight

There was quite a skirmish in the town we are now at last thursday the name of this town is Laranceburg, after Buells Division had marched through their was 18 waggons and about 400 men who supported them were taken. The Prissoners I believe were paroled at least som of them were for I saw one of them he was out of the 49 Reg he said he did not know what they done with the rest of them. Sadie I have learned how is goes to lay out of doors we have not slept in tents since we left Camp Toledo, Sade excuse my misstakes for I have a hardpace to write. Please write soon

Direct to ran Lousville in Care of Capt McCord 111 Reg OVI Co. G. JH Boor

October 24, 1862

Clarksburg, Oct. 24th 1862

Sade -

While lying supiney on my back in my most noble & virtuous couch, studying out a complete surprise for some one. I concluded to make you my subject and after much thought & mature deliberation it was was decided that a letter from the indefatigable Cessa of the 12th Regt. O.V.I. U.S.A. would completely accomplish that end - hence I write

My intrigue brings almost visibly to mind these lines of Shakespere -

"Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless millions mourn"

How full of humanity the following lines -

Teach me to feel anothers woe
And hide that falt I see -
That mercy I to others show
That mercy show to me.

I long I hear you soliloquiying thus: It must be an unfeeling heart that, in the wake of repeating sentiments so full of religion - humanity & the escense of right, can usher a note like this in the presence of a modest young lady" - I confess it a sriped trick but my purpose is fixed and like the laws of the Meades \r & Persians cannot be changed - Listen Sade - let me give you a clue to a trick with which to punish me - Mate me and pay with the same corn - and a larger bushel.

I have had a long tour since my last note - likewise an exciting and interesting one - For sixteen long days I have marched to the music of the rifle, cannon and the sound of the screaching shell and whistling bullet & by the way, some of the latter came rather to close to be comfortable - I could feel the wind as they passed me - In places on the battle ground of South Mountain, I could step from one dead body to another - just as I used to step from log to log in my fathers clearing. Horrible - This reminds me again of Shakespere's lines before cited. At Antietam it was much worse - In many places on that bloody field dead men lay in heaps friend and foe - I do not doubt that Genl Lee lost 30,000 men from the time he entered Maryland till he quit her soil - while our loss did not excede 12,000 - besides those taken prisoners at Harpers Ferry -

I think our prospects are brighter now than ever before - Our army is more formidable and better equipped then ever before - Our Ironclads are almost complete. besides every thing be taken energy and unity of purpose among our Genls - Sade - in any men single or not - able to Shoulder a soldiers musket says anything derogotory to Genl Mac's ability as military commander knock him over with the [----] you come to without ceremony or appology - Write soon

Address Good Bye
{Will Cessna
{Co D 12 Regt Ohio
{via Parkersburg
{West Va -

December 26, 1862

Bowling Green [Ky] Dec 26th [1862?]

Your kind and highly interesting Letter of Dec 18th was recd yesterday morning. I began to think you had forgoten me but when I lernd that you had not recd my Letter but a few days before you wrote I began to think other wise. - you stated in your Letter that you ware So busily engaged at Schoold I will tell you as near as I can how much time Unkle Sams boys have to play. firs we have Roll call at 6.00 A.M. Company Drill from 9 Ocl to 12 Battallion Drill from 2 Ocl untill 4 after Battallion Drills Dresperade. we get in camp about 5 Ocl P.M. then Roll call and Roll Call at 9 Ocl in the eavening. And every fifth day we are on Pickett. - that is the way Unkle Sams boys play. - we ware on Picket last Tuesday. I was Corporal of one post I sent two of the boys after water they took the Canteens and a gun Jacob Cram shot a Rabbit the Officer of the Guards came and ordered me to put him under arrest I went to the Officer of the day and got him excused. he was very glad when I told him he was all right. -

We had a very Sober Christmas their was nothing going on that day but Dresperade. the Old Col was at Bowling Green neary all day and the bigest part of Co G was not very far from that place. - Sadie you wanted to know whare James H Boor was, the last I saw him at Loranceburg Kentucky he was taken to Louisvile, Hospital No 8 ward No3 he was very Sick for awhile when he first came their. - the next time I heard from him he was wurs the last time I heard of him he was very Sick. that was about three weeks ago. the boys in our Copmany are all anxious to See him. I think he will be all right in a few days.

Sadie I must tell you that Brother Danl is going to be Married New Years day to Miss King he wanted me to come home but that is impossible for me it is time for Dressperade I must close for this time

Yours Truly

Dryden

Write Soon
Direct as before

MS 997 - Sarah V. Elder Dicken Papers Transcripts (July - December 1862)

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July 25, 1862

June 30, 1862

September 23, 1862

October 7, 1862

October 24, 1862

December 26, 1862