1861 CIVIL WAR LETTER TO SOLDIER IN 23rd OHIO GREAT CONTENT - KILLED IN VA 1864
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:100761 |
CIVIL WAR - 4 pg. letter, approx. 4" x 6", dated Oct. 19, 1861, (Ohio), from E.R. to his son, "Ryland", a Private in the 23rd Ohio Infantry, with the final page from Ryland's mother. The letter is to Ryland S. Rawdon, who was 19 years old when he was mustered into Co. B., 23rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry on June 2, 1861. He was mortally wounded at Opequan, Va. on Sept. 19, 1864, and died at Winchester, Va. on Sept. 23, 1864. He is buried at Winchester National Cem...etery, Winchester, Va. Great war content, in which Ryland's father, responding to his son's comment that they "are not permitted to know what was doing outside of your own regiment", proceeds to give him an overview of the progress of the war, noting that "the rebels thus far have maintained their ground", and "our arms have not done much to quell secession, although we have now in the field over 450, 000 men". He writes of losing the advantage they gained in Missouri and Western Va, by doings in the East. He also writes of a new Regiment being raised in Licking County, the 76th Ohio Regt. More good content. Includes: "Dear Ryland, I received your letter last Friday with ten dollars. I also received your notes of Ben's. I shall keep your money on interest so that you can have it when you get through, if that should ever be. It is a long time, you will think, before you will be discharged, but keep good courage and do the best you can. Do not let the bad influences you are surrounded with lead you astray. Trust in God and he will lead you through. Remember that we do not forget you at the throne of heavenly grace. I have great confidence you will be preserved & come back to us if you rely upon the arm that is able to support you. You said you were not permitted to know what was doing outside of your own regiment. I will just say that the rebels thus far have maintained their ground and that our arms have not done much to quell secession, although we have now in the field over 450, 000 men. All the advantage we have gained in Missouri and Western Virginia, they hold us at bay at Washington and have invaded Kentucky, and Ohio and Indiana have sent large forces to meet them. We are now raising a Regiment in Licking. The camp is on the fairground. It is the 76th Regiment for Ohio, so you see Ohio is in earnest. A good many have gone from here, and more going. There was a company went from here to St. Louis about the time you left St. Louis. They are there now. Merrick Spelman's two boys have gone, two of old Mr. Spelman's, Ike Melburn, and a lot of the boys from Harrison that you used to know. Captain Thrall is commander. They joined a Missouri Regiment and are now at St. Louis. I must stop, as Ma wants to write. E. R."Fine.COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.[B-10a]
