Company "I" 3rd West Virginia Infantry
Generously shared by Nancy Smith, descendant of Lewis' sister, Sarah Ann.
Transcribed by Nancy Smith & by Phyllis Dye Slater,
Company "I" of the 3rd West Virginia Infantry was formed in Marshall County, W. Va.
(Changed to the 6th W.Va. Cavalry)
related to many people named in letters.
From the W.Va. Adjutant General's Office: "It was not properly armed and equipped as Cavalry at the time of the change, but continued to serve as mounted Infantry."
From Loyal West Virginia by Theodore F. Lang: "The regiment under Averell's management was called together again, and in November, 1863, was changed to mounted infantry, and in January, 1864, to the 6th Cavalry."
CORPORAL LOUIS H. SMITH - Service Record: At age 23, joined for duty & enrolled at Camp Hewes near Clarksburg on July 6, 1861; mustered in July 10, 1861. He re-enlisted in Feb. 1864. “Died at Cumberland, Md. July 15, 1864 of Gunshot Wound.” “Born in Washington County, Pa.” He was the son of John H. Smith and Henrietta Hornish, residents of Marshall County at the time of the 1860 census. Louis was initially buried at First Street Cemetery, Moundsville, but remains were reportedly moved to Mt. Rose Cemetery. He spelled his name as "Lewis" in his letters. -- (Linda Fluharty)
Ceet Mountain Summit
September 28, 1861Dear Parents
I received your kind letter through the Politeness of Captain Purdy I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same Blessing You stated in your letter that you have not received any letters scince I came here we are still at Cheet mountains It is very cold here It rains here every other day and it makes it very disagreeable here you said you wrote me a letter and enclosed one that Granmother sent that letter I never got and i have not received a letter from any of you since I left camp Haymand on the Parkersburgh Rail road you said you wanted me for to write a letter to Granmother but I can not from here on account that there is no Postmaster here and you have for to get your letters sind by the Mager and there is no sertinty of them a giting it but I will rite as soon as I get a good opertunity on last Fryday we had orders for to go and made an attact on the rebbels camp we had three days Pervision in our haversack and our blankets swung over our shoulders ready for to start but by some means the order was Countermanded and we did not get to go we were sadily disapointed for we wanted to have some fun to make them run and show them how the thing is don
They are about seven thousand soldiers in our camp Ohio and Indiania troops
They are only two companyes of our Reigment here but we intended to joyn the fourteenth Indiania Reigment untill after the fight that is the Reigment that had the skirmish fight out here they are all fightings boys The Boys in our company are all except too or three Hager Tomlinson has not been well since we came out here he had the typhoid feaver but he is getting better now he is able to walk around once more this is a poor place for any one that is sick nothing to sleep anunder but a Canvis tents and no beads but the boughs of pine trees When captain was at homme he heard that we were surrounded and that our comopany was all cut to peaces but that report wa not true we have not seen but two or three we have been out here I feel as safe here as I would at home The Rebbels Camp is about fifteen miles here at a place they call Greenbryer this place is well fortyfyed the Ohio twenty fourth has a fourt that covers an acar of ground and the Ohio twenty fifth has one just as large John Moore is well he said he was agoing to write home tooday he is getting as fat as they genery get on Cheet mountain Gran Tomlinson he is as harty as a pine not and as big a devil as ever he was and I am not any better my self and as for John Moore he is as bad as any of us I guess I have told you all the news write soon for I do not now how long we will stay here so nothing more at present but remain your son Lewis SmithTo John H. Smith
Direct your Letters to Cheet
Mountain Summit
Randolph Co.
3 vo Reig comp I Va.
in care of capt Purdy.
Will Sallie
I thought I would write you a fiew lines being that you don't write to me sis I have not seen the isne of a lady for a month and better I almost for get how one look like the last one I saw was that one you and sis Davis read about in that I wrote to Will Tomlinson
Weaman are as scarce out here as Fidlers ar in Heaven and you now that is mightly scarce Pap said in his letter that him and Will Koontz was a coming out to see us I would like for to see him and Will a waiding around through mud on Cheet Mountain it rains here every other day and it snowed here two weeks ago so you judge what kind of a place it is the mountain is about eigh miles long and we are about four from the top of it I want you for to answer these fiew lines as soon you get them you will have to pay the postage on this letter when you get it out of the office for I can not pay for it here they are no post office here I guess I have told you all the news so nothing more at present but remain your Brother
Lewis H. SmithTo Sara Ann Smith
P.S. Give my best Respects to the Ladies of Moundsville
Cheet mountain Summit
Randolph County VirginiaMr. William Tomlinson
Dear Friend
I received your letter an was glad to here from you I thought you had entierly forgoten me I had not herd from you for so long I have written several letters to you and never received no answer you said you had inlisted Good for you I thought you would not stand back Bill I wish you had of come out and joyned our company and you and I would have had some fun I would sooner of had you than any other Boy in that town if you go with Crisswell I want you for to take care of your self
I want you for to answer this letter as soon as you get it and about those two ladies you mentioned give them my best restects I have told you all the particulars I am in a hurry just now for sim says dinner is nearly ready Heg has been sick but he is getting better Gran is as hearty as can be and as for my self I am as stout as an ox so nothing more at present but remain your
true friend
Lewis Smith
To his Friend
Write Soon William TomlinsonNote: sim is Simeon Tomlinson, Heg is Hagar Tomlinson and Gran is John Grandville Tomlinson. - Phyllis Slater.
Buckhannon
December 20th 1861
Dear FriendsJim Porter has just arived in camp he gave me a letter that you sent me and I am glad to here that you are all well I am well at present and hope that these fiew lines may find you enjoying the same blessing Jim brought me a pair of Boots for me they are just the fit for me I received a letter from sis the other day She said that she was agoing to send me a present but she would not tell me what it was I did not receive any present so I had no the pleasure of finding out what the present was agoing to be
Jim said that that you and Mother wanted for to go up to Grandpaps and that you was afraid to for fear that I would come home I can not come now untill after New Years for we all haft to be here fore General Inspection betwean Chrismas a New Years but I will come as soon as I can so you can go to Granpaps and back again before I come home Jim porter told me that you herd that him and me fell out and that he would not let me ride in his wagon we had a little fuss in beverly but he never refused to let me ride when I wanted to when ever I wanted for to ride all I had for to was to go and get in his wagon and it was all right with Jim You wanted to now whether I paid for my coat yet. I have not but I will as soon as I come home I have told you all the particulars So nothin more at present but remain
Your Sone Lewis Smith
To John H & Henrietta Smith
Write Soon And tell me all the news
Camp Buckhannon December 28, 1861
Dear friends
I take this opertunity of writing you a fiew lines to let you now that I am well and to Correct a fiew mistakes in the first place I understood through our Ordly Sergand that he herd while he stay in Moundsville that the reason why I cannot get a Furlow to come home is because I tryed for to dissert who ever told that is a lier and is not capable of telling the truth and I also under stood that you heard that I have the Consumtion which is a noher lie I guess I am as bout as sound as any of them and an noher thing I do not want you for to believe any thing that is told you from here if you do you will believe a great deal that is not so I have found out the Gentleman that said I tryed to dissert I am a coming home som of these times and I will tallk to him in a manner he will not like our Ordly Sergent could of told you whether I tryed to dissert or not and every thing that he says you may rely on it to be the truth and in the third and last place I also under stood that the Ordly Sergent made me go on duty when I was not able that is a nother d--m lie as ever was told by any person he never put me on duty when I was not able he has favored me ever since I came into the company he always treated me like a Gentleman I never had a cross word with him or any of the Officers
The wether is very fine here and we have nothing for to do but to walk the streets We had a Merry Chrismas here I enjoyed my self very well and had the nicest kinds of a turkey for dinner and expect to have a nother one for NewYears day if we stay here Gran Tomlinson and I will be at home next month some time if nothing happens
Peter B. Catlett is a going to start home tomorrow he is a going to Wheeling with some Prisinors and this letter I inten to send by him
they were some of us invited to a party out in the Country the man that invited us said that they would be lots of Girls there the place where the party was about three miles from here they were eight of us went out when we got there they were but one Girl and she was Deaf and dumb so you might now what kind of a time we had we had three Fidlers and a fiddle with us we had stag Dances until about twelve o clock we went back to camp through rain and mud knee deep and when in we were a nice lot of looking chaps
I have not received a letter from any of since Jim Porter came out I herd that A.M. Carr and Miss Mary Guttery was a goin to get married I would like to see them put to bed I would like to see how the white Dove would Look Michel might think her very nice but for my part I would as leaf sleep with a Wooden Woman
I guess I have told you all the news so nothing more at present but remain your son
Lewis Smith
For John H. Smith & Henrietta Smith
Camp Buckhannon December 29th 1861
they were Preaching in the Court house yard to day all of our company went like Good Boys and after Preaching our Chaplin said that he had a Book and a paper for us to reed I took the book and red it and being that I am going to write home I thought that I would send the book home to Miss Martha Smith Tell Martha that I want her to keep this Book untill I come home Lewis Smith
John H. Smith
Camp Buckhannon January 2nd 1862
Dear Friends
I received your kind letter of the 27th and am glad to here that you are all well I am well with exceptions of a cold Our company left here yesterday for flatwood about 50 miles south of here they were seventeen left here besides what is in the hospital among the ones that staid Jim and all Tomlinson Pery Riggs Sim Tomlinson and I had a cold all had soar feet and Perry Riggs staid for to take care of his Horses I would of liked to of went along with the Company but the Captain told me I had better stay he told me that they would be back in a week or ten day that they were a going out of a Skouting ecersion if they stay there two or three weeks I will go out to where they are they were men taken out of company K to fiell ours up they were a nother company went with them It was company E and also company B volunteered to to make up the number which is two Hundred The reason they were ordered out there was the town of sutten was burnt by the Secesh and they went out for to scatter them If they get to see any of them hate for to see Heg Gran and Will Tomlinson for to go with out me a going along it is the first time that we have been seperated since we came in to the Service they have always treated me as a Brother they are a little a fraid of the secesh attacking this town since the companys left after the companys had gone they went to ward and raised a company of home Guards for to stand Guard over this town at night they were sworen in by Col. Hewes last night if they come in ther they will meet a warm reception for every Soldier sleeps with his fire arm under his head ready for an attack at any moment
So nothing more at present but remain your sone
Lewis Smith
To John H. & Henrietta Smith
Write and let now how you are a getting along and what is a going on in Elisabethtown
Lewis Smith
Camp Buckhannon Upsur
County January 10th 1862Dear Granfather a Mother
I thought that I would take this opertunity of writing you a fiew lines to let you now that I am well and hope that these fiew lines may find you enjoying the same Blessing we are now encampt in the town of Buckhannon about a hundred and forty mile from Moundsville we have good quarters we are campt in a baptist Church with two stores in it which the house very comfortable I got a letter from home this week and pap said that him and mother was a going up for to see you in a week or so our company went out on a Scout a New Years day and have not come back yet but I think they come in in a day or two I may come home the last of this month if we do not leave here this winter they are Secesh comes in here and gives themselves up and take the vath of Alegience they are some hard looking costomers Granpap I want you for to write and let me now how you are a getting a long and who all of the young fellows that Enlisted up there for I am anxious for to now we have plenty for to eat here lite Bread beef rice sugar coffee flish and etc
I have not got much news for to write they are not much a going on out here the secesh keeps mighty quiet and does not say very much Give my best respects to all inquiring Friends So nothing more at present but remain you Son Lewis Smith
To Lewis Smith & Mary SmithDirect your letter
To Lewis H. Smith
Buckhannon
In care of Captain Purdy Upshur Co.
company I 3 va reig. Virginia
Lewis Smith
Write Soon as you get this letter
Camp Buckhannon Upshure County Virginia
January 15, 1862Dear Father and Mother
You must excuse me for not writing sooner I am well at present and hope that these fiew lines may find you all enjoying Good Health I received a letter by T.B. Catlett and was glad to here from you You stated in your letter that you heard that Mr. Catlett was taken prisiner that is a fals report he arrived in Camp Safe he was detained on the way between here and Clarkburgh he was two day a getting here he lost his way our company arived in Camp last Satterday they all come back well with the exception of a fiew that Caught Colds they had a hard trip of it the roads were mudy and made it hard marching Some of the boys made it pay while they was gone they went in a Secesh Store out there and helpt themselves and took what they wanted You wanted for to now whether we got a nough for to et or not we get plenty for to eat and to ware we have plenty of Good Lite Bread beef shugar beans rice flish and as for Clothing we have plenty I have two pair of pants two good bloucess and five shirts and two good pair of Socks and that is a nough for any person beside these we have two blankets one wooling and one gum one Things has got quiet here I do not think that the secesh will trobble this place but if they do they will meet with a warm Reception our boys while they were gone Captured Fifty heads of cattle and Twenty five Heads of Horses William Tomlinson sends his best Respects to you all and he wants you for to write to him I wrote a letter to Granpaps last week and have not received an answer yet we have Good times here we have Now guarding for to do only one night out of every week we have for to stand Parade Guard the boys are gon out for to Shoot at a mark and I am writing I want you for to write and tell me all the news and let me now whether the Partyes are a going on yet or not for I expect to be at home some of these times and I do not want to miss all the fun They had it reported here that the Secesh had taken Romney but I guess the report is fals they will have some hard fighting to do before they take Romney write as soon as you get this letter and let me now what is a going on in Moundsville So nothing more at present
I remain your son Lewis H. SmithTo John H and Henrietta Smith of Moundsville Marshall County Virginia
Camp Buckhannon
Feb. 15, 1862Dear GrandFather &Mother
I received your kind letter and was glad to hear that you were all well I am well at present and hope that these fiew lines may find you in good health I received a letter from home the same evening that I got the one from you they were all well when they wrote they said that Sis was in Wheeling and that she was a going up to see you you want to now the whole sircumstance about that fight at Sutten the Secesh left the fort that they had take and retreted to the Gades about ten miles from Sutten we followed them up and they were hid in houses and when they seen our men a coming they run and they got Shot as they were a running from the houses they are some talk of us a leaving here but where we will go I can not tell but where ever we go I will rite and let you now where we are we have good times here nothing to do and plenty to eat we have had a very mild winter here scarcely any Snow but plenty of rain and mud Give my love and best respects to all the Ladyes and inquiring Friends I can not tell when I will be at home but I will come as Soon as I can and I will come up to See You I have now news for to write they are nothing a going on here so nothing more at present but remain you Affectionate Love
Lewis H Smith
Lewis and Mary SmithDirect you letters to
Lewis H Smith
In care of Capt. Purdy Buckhannon
company I 3 va reigt upshur co.
LHSWrite as soon as this comes to home
Write Soon
Camp Buckhannon
Febuary 20th 1862Dear Father & Mother I received you kind letter yesterday and was glad to here from you we expect to leave here a Satterday for Elk Water they were to companyes of our Reigment left here yesterday two companyes are a going at a time so that we can get places for to stay along the Road they had a bad day to marche for it rained all day I do not think that we will stay at Elk Water very long I think we will move on to wards the Aleghany Mountains Our whole Reigment will come togeather at Huttenville a little town eigh miles from Cheet Mountain we got new guns yesterday they are the Enfield Rifle they are Considered the best gun in Survice all of our Reigment has them kind of guns Our Captain has Resigned Leutenant H. W. Hunter Red his Resignation paper to us yesterday the Captain took it very hard he hated fore to leave us but I do not blam him his business at hom requires him to be there all the time he was with us he treated the Company with respect I have nothing to say against him for Resigning although I hated fore to see him leave he always treated me with respect I think Lieut Hunter will be appointed Captain. in my opinion he will make a good Capt ---- a mand that understands his business and is liked by every one in the company he would be our Choice if we had any thing to Say for my part I like him as a man and Lieutenant Mr Catlett is getting Better he had a very bad cold be he is almost well now that sirup helpt us boath
Fevuar 21st 62
The mail did no leav her yesterday I thought that I would let you now that we are a going to Start for Cheet Mountain tomorrow when we get ther I will write and tell you all the particulars Direct you letter as usual Nothing more at present but remain your affect
Son Lewis H SmithTo John H. & H. Smith
Moundsvill
Marshall Co Va
Head Quarters Virginia March 6th 1862
Dear Grand Father and Mother
Your kind letter came duly to hands and I was glad to here from you that you are all well I am well at present and hope that these fiew lines may find you in good health we left Buckhannon on the 23rd of Febuary and arived here at Huttensvill on the 27th the roads were very bad and we could not come much speed a marching we only went ten miles a day we could of marched farther but the teems could not keep up and we had to wait for them our Company is encampt at Huttenville forty miles from Buckhannon and twelve miles from Cheet mountain summit Heg Tomlinson and I are attending a Ferry Boat across Valley River The Secesh when they Retreated from here they burnt the Bridge and they had for to build a boat Heg and I has got a tent with a fire place in it and a bed it is a half a mile from where we stay to where the Company is Campt we do our own cooking and you may now it is done wright for you always nowed that I was a good hand to help to work in the house you stated then you wanted me to get you a Couple of Government Horses I will do my best to get you a couple but I do not now whether I can or not when Horses give out and they want to sell them they generly take them to one Serten place I have not seen but about fifteen sold since I have come out and that was at Buckhannon and they went very high fore more than some of them were worth but if I can come across any that I think will sute you I will get and send to you after the government is don with a horse he is not worth much Give my best respects to all the Ladyes around there and tell them that I would like to see them all tell them that I will come up to see them as soon as the war is over or sooner if I can I want you to write and let me now what John Hornish is a doing and who all went a soldiering from up there I want you to write as soon as you get this letter and let me now all the news and what is a going on Give my best respects to all inquiring friends Nothing more at present but remain your son
Lewis H. Smith
Lewis Smith & Mary Smith
Write as soon as you get this and oblige yours Respectfully
P.S. Tell Little John and Susy that I send them my Love and that when I come home I will bring each of them a nice present
Lewis Smith
Head Quarters Virginia
March 15th 1862Dear Father and Mother
I take the present opertunity of writing you a fiew lines to let you now that I am well at present hoping these fiew lines may find you in good health I have been looking for a letter from you for some time but have never received any I have not received but one letter Since Markus Ernest came out I sent a letter to you by Alexander Sayers and sent you Ten dollars in it and you never wrote whether you got it or not we are a going to leave here tomorrow for Cheet Mountain I do not think we will Stay long there it is my oppinion we will leave for the Aleghany Mountain where they say they are a Camp of Secesh where I expect we will have a Fight and if we whip them there we will go on towards Stanton where ever we stop I will write and let you now I have nothing more to write a present nothing more at but Remain your
Lewis Smith
John Smith
I want you to tell Jim Porters famly where he is and that he is well he started for the mountain this Evening with the teem tell them for to let his wife now where he is he will write as soon as he stops
Lewis Smith
Huttensvill Virginia
March 28th 1862Dear Father & Mother
I received your kind letter by Mr. Sayers and was glad to here from you I am well at present and hope that these fiew lines may find you all in good health we have had a couple of days of nice weather here and the Roads are drying up very fast If it keeps this kind of weather I think we will not stay here very long pap you said that pip Smokes very good I am glad to here that for I was a fraid that it was not much account but I will send you one the first opertunity I get I will send you a nice one I will send you some more money in a fiew days. I have not got any now but I will have in a day or two than I will send you some I have no news for to write I am still attending The Ferry news are Scarse out here they were twenty five of our Company were sent to cut a Road across Rich Mountain for the Pack Mules for to Cross Mr. Catlett want along and so did John Moore they will be gon five days Mother I very much Oblige to you for that Shugar you sent me it was the best I have Eat this Year P.B. Catlett also got Some Give my best Respects to all Enquiring Friends Nothing More at present but Remain -------------- Son Lewis Smith
John and Henrietta
Write Soon
Sooonn
Camp McDowell April 27, 1862
i take the present oprtunity of writing you a fiew lines to let you now that I am well and hope that these fiew lines may find you all in good Health we are now in Camp McDowell ten miles from the top the Shenandoah Mountains the weather has been very Disagreeable here but it is a moderating some now I must tell you some fun we had on last Friday week ago our Company was ordered out on a Scout we started towards the Shenandoah Mountains where the Secesh were Campt we went within two miles of their Camp when we were fired on by their Pickets we returned the fire and they took to their horses and run we fired several times on them but whether we hit any of them I can not tell they say that a man and horse fell but I did not se them so that was fun anough for one day so our company and company E of our Regment went out on the following Munday for the prpose of running in the Pickets again we went out but could not find any Pickets so we went on and we found out that they had evacuaed the mountain so we went up on the mountain where they were campt and planted the Old Stars and Stripes the good old Flag that we brought from Moundsvill with us the Captain detailed five of us to go down the other side of the Mountain to see if we could see anything of the enemy Hager Tomlinson and I were among the five we went down to the foot of mountain about two miles to Tavern where we got our suppers after three of us started and went down the valley abot a mile when we come across two Secesh Calvlymen when they saw us the wheeled their horse and run like thunder we shot at them but did not hit them so we turned back and staid all night we started down the river the next morning we went about four miles when we come across about twenty five Secesh Cavlry. They wee about one thousand yards from us under a big tree we fired at them every bullet struck the tree we over shot them they run like scaired hounds we did no see anything more of them and we returned to our company the Secesh army has gone toward Stanton they are a good many of them diserting we can see some of them that has run off every day they tell some hard tails how they are treated I have told you all the particulars nothing more at present but remain your son Lewis Smith
John Smith Give my best respects to all enquiring friends write soon
P.S. Direct your letters as usual
April the 28th 1862
Dear
Friends it is with pleasure I take my pen to inform you of my whereabouts and to let you know that we are well at present and hope these few lines may find you enjoying good health I have not heard from any of you since I was over there last fall and I would like to hear from you very much I did not go to the war as I expected last fall on account of my family we have three children our youngest is 3 1/2 months old our oldest is abut 5 1/2 years old and would like to have some or all of you to come to see usI am at the same place yet Talbots Mills on Captina Creek I have attended the mill for the last two years exclusively and have had it partially under my care for the last four years Crops look verry favorable as much so as ever I saw them farmers are late with their spring work on account of so much wet times are rather better than they were sometime ago I would like to hear from Lewis My Brother William James is in the 7th Regiment O V M now near Monterey Virginia Uncle William Hutchinson and three of his Boys are in the 15 Regiment O. V. M. at Pittsburg Landing Tenn. They were in that terrible battle One of Uncle Samuel Hutchinsons Boys is or was in the 39 Regiment the last I heard from him he was in the Hospital at Quincy Illinois I have written but received no answer and I expect the poor fellow is dead the Prospect is good for the speedy overthrow of the Rebellion if our Army proves successful at Yorktown and Corinth and we could be cheerfull if we only knew that our friends were safe write soon John and Henrietta and let me know how you all are Excuse this bad scribble I still remain your affectionate friend
S. C. Hutchinson
Armstrong Mills
Belmont County
OhioTo John Smith
Moundsville
Marshall County
Va.I am unconditionally Union One and inseperable now and forever
S.C.H.
Camp in the Field Near North Mountain May 5th 1862
Dear parents
I received your kind letter and was glad to here from you we left McDowell on Satterday morning and are now campt at the foot of North mountain twenty one miles from Stanton they say that the Secesh Army is within six miles of Stanton they were some of their Cavly come within two miles of here and they saw our Pickets and went back they did not now that we were here I expect that we will be in Stanton before you get this letter I got a letter from Sam Davis he has left Washington city and is advancing towards Gordenvill Gordenville is about fifty miles from here he is in McDowells Division you wanted to now whether heg Tomlinson and me had a quarle we had a little fuss but it did not amount to anything it was just a little family fuss we are as good friends as ever we booth stay in the same tent and sleep in the same bunk togeather so you may now that the fuss was not a serious one as for who was in the fault I think that we were booth to blame bloothe of us were rather fast but it is all right now I did not send my over coat home I kept it I thought that I might need it in these mountains before we got through them and I found it to be of rite smart of use to me for we have had a good deal of cold wether since the boys sent their coats home I am well and the company is generly in good health and in fine spirits I have told you all the particulars Give my best respects to all enquiring friends Nothing more at present but remain your son
Lewis H. SmithJohn H. Smith
Direct your letters as usuall
Camp Near Mount Jackson
June 17th 1862Dear Parents
I received a letter from you a day or two after we arrived here and one that Mr Alexander brought me they boath found me well we left Petersburgh on the 27th of May and have been on the march ever since we have been in persuit of Jackson we followed him within 12 miles of Stanton where he made a stand we fought him of the 8th day of June They were Sharp fireing for some six hours when the Sesech give back with a heavy loss we withdrew from the Field and intended for to Renew the attact the next day but that night the Secesh left we begun the persuit but the Rebbels got to the River before we did and burnt the Bridge across the Shenadoah River and we could not follow any farther so we fell back here for to Rest they were only one man wounded in our Camp Some five killed and 30 awounded in the Reigment I do not now the exact loss of your entire force but I think It was not very heavy Mount Jackson is a town on the Winchester and Stanton (pike) about 215 miles from the former place and 40 from the latter this is a beautiful Country here and the wheat looks splendid but they are a Great many Fields distroyed by Riding Through them The wheat is as fine looking as I ever Saw the weather has been fine here for several days we are encampt in a Splendid piece of woods within a mile and a half of the town you said that you herd that I had to stand picket and Scout more than my turn I do not I have not bee on picket Guard for over a month you need not be uneasy about me I have told you all the news I a very bad place for to write excuse the bad writing I will try and do better the next time write as soon as you get this letter Nothing more at present but remain you Son
Lewis H. SmithJohn and Henrietta Smith
Note: the word pike cannot not be clearly read. Nancy Smith
Camp Strausburgh June 24th 1862
Dear Parents
I received a letter from you dated May the eighteenth and was glad to here from you I am well at present and hope that these fiew lines may find you all in good health I wrote a letter to you a fiew days ago this letter is rather old but I come to the conclusion for to answer it We are campt about a mile from Strausburgh in the woods we have now tents so we have for to go to the woods for shelter Fremonts Division are a leving here and falling back to Middleton five miles from here towards Winchester when they all leave we are a going to move down into town where we will have houses to go into it is a raining here to day and makes it rather disagreeable but the weather has been very fine I expect that you have heard about our fight at Cross Keys we had a good time the Secesh had for to get up and dust them Secesh this is a beautiful country as fine as I ever seen the wheat all looks well and has begin for to ripen showing that harvest will soon be at hand I have been well and stood the marching very well I never had my health better You fellows must of had a good time the day of General Muster you used Bob Curtis and old Webb Rather rough Mr Dunn was here a fiew minutes he says that Will Tomlinson went home sick he was not well when we left him at Petersburgh we never heard of him untill Dunn came here I wanted you for to write as soon as you get this letter I have not much news for to write Al and Gram Tomlinson are boath well John Moore is well George Patterson I do not now how he is for I have not seen him since we left Petersburgh give my best respects to all enquiring friends Nothing more at present but remain your son Lewis Smith
John and Henrietta Smith
Direct Strausburgh
Shenandoah county Va.
Care Capt. Hunter
General Melroys BrigaidNote: The Al (Alfred) Tomlinson mentioned above is my gr grandfather - Phyllis Slater.
Camp Strausburgh
June 26th 1862Dear Parents
I received you letter of the 19th and it found me well I hope that these fiew lines may find you in good Health we are still at Strausburgh all the Division but our Brigade has got back to Middletown a bout five miles from here the weather very fine and pleasant here they will be wheat fit for to eat in a fiew days I would like for to come home and help you for the Harvast but I do not think that I can I sent you a letter home yesterday you stated that you were hard up for something for to eat we were Rather Scarce of pervisions at Franklin but we have pleanty out here we have not got much for to do Just now but I do not now how long it will Remain so I am Thankful to You for that Stamp nad paper you sent me out paper has been Scarce out here but our Suttler has come up and we have plenty now but Stamps are Rather scarce they are now Regular Post office out here although we got Regular Mails they come every day you ought of never of Sent Blakewell and Frank Morris to Camp Chase you ough of just a Shot them Boath and keep them out of the Road for they are of now account in God’ world Give my Best Respects to all enquiring Friends write soon and give me all the news Nothing more at present but Remain you Son
L. H. Smith
Direct You Letter to
Write SoonStrausburgh
Shenandoah Co. Va
Care Capt Hunter Co. I.M
3 va Reig
Melroy’s Brigade
Camp Woodville August 4th 1862
Dear Parents
I received your kind letter and also the stamps and paper I am obliged to you for sending them to me for they are a scarce article out here now I am well at present and hope this fiew lines may find you all in good health we are still in the same place we were when I wrote you last but how long we will remain I can not tell the weather is very warm here during the day but the nights cool the Company is all in good health and fine spirits all Gran Tomlinson and Jim Porter are all well we have good times here now not much for to do only drill we had a Sham Battle here today our Reigt. formed a hollow Swuare and got General Melroy in the Senter they were five Companyes of Cavelry made a charge of in to try and break our files and take the General prisenor but they could not come in they charged five different times but could not make the conection the old third was too many for them we had a gay time Give my best respects to William Tomlinson and tell him that I want him for to write to me he has more time to write than I have Give my best respects to all enquiring friends I have wrote you all the particulars Nothing more at present but remain your son
L.H. SmithJohn & Henrietta Smith
Camp Near Washington D.C. Sept. 10, 1862
Dear Parents
I received your kind letter through politeness of Mr. Alexander and it found me well and I hope these fiew lines may find you in good health we are now in Camp under the Partection of the Fortifycations before Washington we have been here for four days it is a beautiful place we have good times here and plenty for to eat we are within three miles of the sity and they are wagon loads of pervisions comes over daily we have water mellons in abundance and at reasonable prices I have not been over in the city yet but I expect I will go over tomorrow it is more than likely that we will stay a fiew days for my part I do not care how long we stay here you wanted me for to tell you the particulars of the Battle of Bulls Run I expected that you all now more about it than we do our Bregaid was engaged boath days
the first day we opened he ball and fought the enemy all from about seven in morning untill about four in the evening against a far superior force holding our position untill we were compelled to fall back on account of being over powered and now reinforcements came to our assistance the next day we were not engaged untill the afternoon when we were called upon to reinforce General McDowell whos lines the enemy had broken we checked them for a while but could not hold them they were two many of them for us the night after the second days fight we fell back to about five miles to Sentersvill where they are large fortifycations expecting the army for to follow us but they did not we remained in Centersville one day when we fell back to the porsition we now occupy they were a great many kill during boath days fighting our loss killed wounded and missing are estimated at fifteen thousand while the enemy are supposed to lose three times our number during the fight our Reigment lost one hundred and fifty men some companyes lost fifteen and twenty men we had four wounded and two a missing in our company Lieutenand B.T. Lydick got wounded the second day by a shell in the side but not dangerously If the Rebbels attact us in this place they will have some fun they are several large forts in front of Washington with cannon in them that throw a hundred and fifty pound shell and they are plenty of them we are laying along side of the Fort Ethan Alen they are one Reigmend of Artilery men in it and a number of large guns All Europe united with the Southern Confedracy could not take Washington city George Thomas is now in Camp he is better health now than he has been for some little time when he first come back his leg would not stand marching but I think with a little rest he will get better they are as easy on him as possiable they are some talk of us a going back to Western Virginia they say that the Secesh are getting back there again whether it is sow or no I can not tell they are so many reports a float this is much nicer country than the mountains but if we haft for to go back it just take old Bob Melroy to make them skadaddle when he has a fair chance if we go back I expect that we will see the twelf Virginia Reigament I would like to see some of them boys ut climbing them mountains as long as we have and then they will now how soldring goes they would be like an Irish man that I was a talking to the day after the fight I ask him how he liked it he said he did not like it at all he said that he would fight for this union but the next one might go to hell John Moore sends his best respects to all he is well and in fine spirit Tell P.B. Catlett that I will collect the accounts for him after the boys gets paid off we are looking for the pay master every day I help Lieutenant Purdy yesterday to make out the pay rolls we will get paid for four months I guess Mr. Alexander is a going to stay untill we get our money you stated that Doctor Ruggels was sergeon of the Twelf virginia I wish he was sergeon of our Reigment ours has resigned and he was not worth much any way The boy have wished for Dock Reggels a many a time Al and Gram Tomlinson are boath well Jim Porter is also well he is now in George town with his teem Wm Tomlinson must of taken a shell when he struck Jake Issival I expect Jacob did not like it if he could of helpt him self I am sorry that Bill has lost the use of his arm for he was a good soldier I have told you all the particulers Give my best respects to all enquiring friends Nothing more at present but remain your son
Lewis H. Smith
John and Henrietta Smith
Write as soon as you get this and tell me all the news and what is a going on
Lewis H. Smith
Camp Near Clarksburgh
October 21st 1862Dear Parents
I take the present opertunity of writing you a fiew lines to let you now that I am well at present hoping these fiew lines may find you all in good Health I got with the Company a Pomeroy when I got a Wendsday Evening when I got to Pomeroy I herd that the Company was ordered Back to Clarksburgh and I stand their untill they come up we got here a Sunday night we will go from here to Buckhannon The Company is all well The Officers did not say anything about me a staying if I had a nown every thing I would of staid untill now I have got Stout and Harty again John Moore is well I guess he is a writing home today The Company drawd tents at Golloblease (?) so that the rain dose not trouble us much now I have not much for to write I will write More the next time Give My Best Respects to all enquiring Friends Nothing More at present but Remain You Son
L H Smith
J H Smith
Camp Buckhannon
October 29th 1862Dear Parents
I take the Present opertunity of writing you a fiew lines to let you now that I am enjoying good health at present hoping these fiew lines may find you all the Same we are now at Buckhannon they are Some talk of us Staying here this winter for my part I will be very well sadisfyed for to stay I wrote you a letter at Clarksburgh and sent it by Capt Prudy and never Received any Answer to it we have good times here Nothing for to do and plenty to eat They are four Companyes at Beverly I have no news for to write as they are nothing agoing on out here John Moore is well and sends his Best Respects to You all Give My Best Respects to Nick Gedikes and Family and All enquiring Friends Nothing more At Present But Remain You Son
Lewis H. Smith
John & Henrietta Smith
P.S.
Answer this letter or I will be Damned if I write any More untill I get an Answer
Camp Beverly Nov. 8th 1862
Dear Father
I received you kind letter this evening and it found me well hoping that you are enjoying the Same Blessings we are still at Beverly but how long we will stay here I can not tell the Twelfe virginia started over Cheet Mountain day before Yesterday I have not herd from them since where they are a going to I can not say the weather is very Cool out here it has been a Snowing for a Couple of days we are not now with the Reigment they are two Companyes at Buckhannon and the Rest at Sutten and Bull town our Company are Provost Guards Capt Hunter Acting Provost Marshall General we have very good times not much for to do now I received a letter from you By Joseph Tomlinson he arived here a Wendsday they are now news out here it is a God Forsaken Country if I had any thing to do with it I would let the Secesh have this Country and make their Best of it it is now Account the best of it John Moore is well and sends his Best respects to You the Company is Generly in good Health I am thankfull to You for those Stamps you Sent me I have nothing more particular for to write Give My Best Respects to all enquiring Friends Nothing more at present but Remain Your Son
Lewis H. Smith
John SmithDirect Your Letter
Lewis H. Smith
Care Capt. H. M. Hunter
Provast Marshall General
Mountain Department
Beverly
Beverly Nov. 9th 1862
Dear Parents
I take the present opertunity of writing you a fiew lines to let You now that I am well at present hoping you are enjoying the Same Blessing we are now at Beverly how long we will stay here I can not tell we are not with the Reigment now two Companyes are at Buckhannon the rest at Sutten our Company are Provost Guards for General Melroys Division Captain Hunter is Provost Marshall General of the Mountain Department we have good times here nothing for to do and plenty for to eat we have had Some cold weather here but it is Moderating some now they are troops a going through here every day over Cheet Mountain they have a cold time of it for the snow is five inches deep on the Mountain I got a letter from Pap last evening he was well he said that Mother was up to see you he said that he was agoing up Soon they are nothing agoing on out here in this God Forsaken Country I have nothing particular for to write I want you for to Answer this letter as soon as you get this one Give My Love to Little John Susy and Martha and all enquiring Friends Nothing More at present but Remain Your Son
Lewis H. Smith
Lewis and Mary Smith
P.S. I understand that George and Sam Davis was at home if they Are Give them My best Respects and tell them for to Write Me a fiew Lines L.H. Smith
Direct Lewis H. Smith
Care Captain H. W. Hunter
Provost Marshall General
Mountain Department
BeverlyL. H. Smith
Note: this letter was written to Lewis’ paternal grandparents - Nancy Smith.
New Creek
November 20th 1862Dear Parants
I seat my self this fine Sunday morning for the purpose of writing you a fiew lines to let you now that I am well and where I am hoping these fiew lines may find You the Same The weather has been very Cool here for a fiew days back which makes them very Comfortable We are Campt in a Beautifull place I would Like to Stay here all winter which I am in hopes we will New Creek is Eighteen Miles from Cumberland on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road You must Excuse me for not writing Sooner as I got your letter when we had Orders to March I will be more puntial the next time We have very good times here nothing for to do Give My best Respects to John and Susy And All Enquiring Friends Nothing More at present but Remain Your Son
Lewis Smith
Direct Lewis H. Smith
Care Capt H. W. Hunter
Provost Marshall General
Cheet Mountain DivisionL. H. Smith
New Creek December 1st 1862
Dear Parents
I take the present opertunity of writing you a fiew lines to let you now that I am well hoping these fiew lines may find you the same the weather has been cool here for a fiew days back winter I think has about to set in I wrote a letter to Gran paps yesterday I received one from them when I was at Beverly Mother I you for to send me a box of pervisions we are on the rail road now and I expect that we will stay here all winter so they are no risk to run I will be shure of getting what ;you send Gran Tomlinson sent home for a box and you and Miss Tomlinson can put for boath of us in one box it will be cheeper I want you to pay the frait on the box if you will please as I have no money and I will return the compliment I have nothing more to write at this time I still remain your son
Lewis H. Smith
Direct Lewis H. Smith
care Capt H. W. Hunter
Provost Marshall General
Cheet Mountain Division
New Creek December 10th 1862
Dear Parents
That box you sent was duly received and also welcomely it found me well hoping these fiew lines may find you the same the weather is very fine here today the sun shines as beautifull as summer We will leave here tomorrow for Petersburgh
they were a Brigade left for their four or five days ago I do not think we will go into winter quarters
this winter we are just a going over our old Tramping Grounds again we have done the rough work and now we are ageing to smoothe it off it is hard for to tell where we will stop but I expect the next thing we now we will be in Washington city or some other seaport it dose not make any differance to me I am in fur settling the war and the sooner the better I hope it will be over against spring at least I put my trust in Capt Boliver and the Bladen (Capt Boliver is our sergent of the mess The Bladen is the name of the tent) If we do go to Petersburgh I think we will not remain their long as Winchester is the main point our forces have posession of that place now tell Mis Koontz that Gan is very much obliged to her for those things she sent him I am also obliged to you for those things you sent me they were welcomely and gladly received I will try and return the compliment in some way or other Heg Tomlinson company is out in the country they will be in to night and will give Joseph Wirish some things they are nothing agoing on out here at this time Maybe the next time I write to I will have more news to tell you tell Mrs. Wirish that Joseph is well and in fine spirits I have told you all the particulars Nothing more at present but remain your son L.H. Smith
John & H. Smith
John Moore received his boots they are two large for him they are also too large for me L.H. Smith
Petersburgh December 14th 1862
Dear Parents
I take the present opertunity of writing you a fiew lines Letting you now where I am I am well at present hoping these fiew lines may find you all enjoying good Health we left New Creek on Thursday Morning and arived here a Satterday about noon
The weather has been very fine for some time I hope the weather will continue sow for I expect we will leave here in a fiew days I think we will go in to Winchester
The day has been very warm for some time the Boys are all laying out side of the tent a sunning themselves and resting after the arch You sopke in your last letter about Coffee we are now Scarce of coffee now but when I get a chance I will Send You Some
The word came into Camp that Bunarddes* is a fighting the Enemy on the Rappanhannock River I wish he would them Like Thunder and Maybe they would quit Fighting they are now news out here for to write Maybe the next time I write I will have more news for to tell You You need not mind Sending me them Boots for if You do It will be uncertin whether I will get them or not I have told you all the Particulars So Nothing More at present but Remain You Son
Lewis H. SmithDirect Your letter To
Lewis H. Smith
Care Capt H. W. Hunter
Provost Marshall General
Cheet Mountain DivisionP. S. I want You for to send me Some Post Stamps and write Amediately
L. H. Smith
John Moore is well and Sends his best Respects to You all
LHSNote: We think Bunarddes may refer to Burnside. - Nancy Smith.
Petersburg Dec. 1862
Dear Parents
I received your kind letter of the 7th and was glad to here from you I am well at present hoping these fiew lines may find you all in good Health we are now at Petersburgh Have been here for some three weeks The weather has been very fine for Some Time back I hope it will continue soo as long as we have to march The Road is as good as I ever saw they are quite dusty in some places You stated that you wanted me for to come and get my Chrismas dinner I do not think I can come a Chrismas but I will come as Soon as I can I may get to come some time this winter I have not got a letter from Pap since I came here I do not now the Reason why they do not write They are troops a leaving here every day for Moorefield a little town about Eleven Miles from here They are abut 4 Reigment here and one Battery of Artillery
They were some of our Boys went home with some Prisinors I would of went with them but I was out on a Scout and did not get in in Time I think I will get to go in a fiew day They are no news for to write at This Time I may have more to write the next Give My Love and Best Respects to all enquiring Friends Nothing More at present but Remain Your Son L. H. Smith
Lewis and Mary Smith
Give My love to Johnny and Susy
Direct Lewis H. Smith
care Capt. H. W. Hunter
Provost Marshall General
Cheet Mountain Division
Petersburgh December 21st 62
Dear Father and Mother
I seat myself this fine Sabbeth to write you a fiew lines not because I receive so many from you but because I have nothing else for to do I have not got a letter from you since we came here we have been here now for some three weeks I am well at present hoping this fiew lines may find you the same the weather continues very fine here it is cold during night and mornings but warm through the day they were twenty five of our boys started with prisinors to New Creek with the expectation of going home where they will arive this evening Jim Porter All and Gran Tomlinson are among the number I was not here when they started or I expect I would of been along with them I do not want a pair of boots this winter I have a nough of shoes for to last me Dinner is now ready and I must stop writing untill I sadisfy my apitite which is very good at present Well dinner is over I suppose you would like for to now what we had Will we had Bread Beans Fresh Pork and Coffee we done justice to them all We have now news in particular a for to write at this time I got a letter from granpaps they are all well when they wrot letter I answered it today I have told you all the particulars so nothing more at present but remain your son
Lewis H. Smith
Direct Lewis H. Smith
care Capt H. W. Hunter
Provost Marshall General
Cheet Mountain Division
P.S. I want you for to send me some post stamps and obilge yours
respectfully Lewis H. Smith
John and Henrietta Smith
Winchester January 9th 1863
Dear Father and Mother
I received your letter some time ago but neglected in answering it I am well at present hoping these fiew lines may find you enjoying the same blessing we have been here for over a week with the likely hood of staying here for some time this has been a beautifull town before the war broak out but it is rather worse of the war Every thing is scarce and what is sells at high prices Corn sells at two dollars per bushel coffee $11.00 per pound Sugar the same pork $120.00 per hundred flour $15.00 per barrel wood sells $15.00 per cord and every thing else in potortion they are are but fiew union families here it is the worst secesh place that I have been in yet I received those boots gloves socks and post stamps that you sent me.
the boots fits me very well you stated about sending me a box you had better not send it now as we are not in a very conveniate place to get any thing I have not got a letter from Granpaps for some time You stated that the 12th Va Reigt was dissadisfyed concerning the Niger Question I do not think they are many of them that has lost their Nigers that they need make a hell of a fuss about Neather have they done such great fighting for the union or nigers I understand that the Secesh about Moundsvill are getting rather saucy since the Burnside fight but I think their tunes will turn when they here of W.S. Roseecranse he more than whipt them
the tide has turned they will find out now whoes bear eat the cabbage before spring The Secesh Cavlry under Jim Boden and Jenkins made a dash on our men at Morefield but they had to get away as fas as they came our men throwd a fiew shell at them which made them skadoddle they have not troubble us since When we was a marching out here the Rebbels made a dash on our Waggen train which was not guarded and captured 56 horses and four of our company they were Simeon Purdy, Isaac Grim William Hammond and Isaac Hartly we have not heard from them since
I expect they have taken them to Richmond I have told you all the particulars Give my best respects to all enquiring friends Nothing more at present but remain your son L.H. Smith
Wm Tomlinson sayes he is very much obliged to for that word you sent out to him he say he expects to be at home before long and he wants you for see that she dose not spoil untill he returns L.H. Smith
Write soon
Winchester January 22nd 1863
Dear Parents
I received your kind yesterday I was glad to here from You but Sorry to here of You being sick but hope when these fiew lines reach You they will find You in better health we are now at Winchester where I expect we will Stay all winter we are in good Quarters
We are Campt in a Printing Office we have now guard duty for to do except guard the town at nights which is not very hard duty we once in a while go out on a Scout we went out the other night and got five Secesh and we brought in fifty chickens we had to get a horse to Carry them we took them from Secesh Sitizens we had a fine feast This has been a nice town before the war Commenced but it has gon up now There are but very fiew union Families in this place the weamen are Sow Strong Secesh that they would not walk under our flag but we put one across the Street and they had to for to come an under I have not received a letter from home for Some three weeks I do not now the reason why they do not write we have had rite Smart of Snow here for a Couple of days back Lewis Henry need not be a fraid of having a fight at Washington City for the Secesh will never attact it fifty thousand men will hold the City of Washington against all the Southern Confederacy Give My Love to Johny and Susy and all enquiring friends write Soon and tell me all the news Nothing More at present but Remain Your SonL. H. Smith
Lewis and Mary Smith
PS If you See Ann Gediken Give her My best Respects and also the rest of the Family
Lewis H SmithDirect You letters as usual
Lewis Smith
Camp Winchester January 25th 1863
Dear Parents
Your letter came duly to hand and found me well hoping these fiew lines may find you enjoying the same blessing we have had some winter here this fiew day back but the weather has begun to moderate some
this is a beautifull although the streets are very mudy
I am glad to here of all the folks about Moundsvill a joyning church I hope they will have the gift of continuance on their way to glory I would like to here Mag Tomlinson shout if she goes at it like she dose about develmind She goes in lively I got a letter granmother yesterday they were all well except gran mother I expect Bill Tomlinson went in on his big ankle when he went home he was mighty glad when his discharge came I scarcely now what to write as they are nothing of any importance a going on out here only they bring in some Secesh prisinors every day John Moore is well and sends his best respects to you all I received those stamps that you sent me and am oblige to for them as they can not be got out here Give my love to all enquiring friends So nothing more at present but remain your son
Lewis H. SmithJohn & Henrietta Smith
Write as soon as this comes to hand
L.H. Smith
Winchester February 5th 1863
Dear Parents I received your kinnd letter of the 29th Yesterday and was truly glad to here from You and also to here that You was enjoying good Health we Still occupy the City of Winchester they are no prospects of us a leaving here soon I suppose we will remain here untill Spring opens this is a very Stormy day here but the weather Heretofore has been Beautifull I think we will have our winter now as we have had good weather all winter I have not got a letter from home for Some time John Moore got a letter from home and it states that they have been a big Meeting a going on in in Moundsvill and that Bill Moore has joined and got Religion
I hope he will continue in the good Course he has persued the Whole town has Joyned I expect they are a pious Set their I herd Some time a go that Mick Carr and Mary Guttery was married I hear that reported so much that I did not believe it untill You wrote Well I wish them much Joy and Hapiness All that this world can afford them I have nothing of any importance to write a this time Give my love to Johny and Susy I hope when you get these fiew lines John may be better
I want you for to let me now where I am and George Davis are and how to direct a letter to them
Give my best Respects to all enquiring Friends
Nothing more at present but Remain Your Affectionate SonL. H. Smith
Lewis and Mary Smith
Winchester February 9th 1863
Respected Parents
Yours of the 28th came duly to hand and I was truly glad to here from you and also to here of You a being well we still Occupy the City of Winchester where I Suppose we will Remain all winter if everything goes well here the weather Continues very good with the exception of a Snow Storm once in a while I am glad to here of Sow many in Moundsville getting Converted espacily Bill Moore You Stated that he did not treat Sis right if he does not do wright I want You for to See to it and have her treated right I have a very good Idea how it is down their where they are Sow many in one house it do not do well Too many cooks Spoils the Broth I received Some Paper and Stamp Envalope through the Politeness of Mr. Thruber who Arived here Yesterday evening
I would be very much pleased to have a letter from Samuel Fergus if he writes to me I will sure Answer then Amediately
I got a letter from Granpap and Mother a day or two ago they were all well except Johny
I have told You all the news Nothing more at present but Remain Your Son
L.H. Smith
Write Soon
Direct Lewis H. Smith
Care Capt H.W. Hunter
Provost Marshall General
Cheet Mountain Division
Winchester VaTell Mr. Catlett that I Will Collect that money for him as Soon as the Boys Are paid off
Winchester March 2nd 1863
Dear Parents
Your kind letter was duly received and I was truly gald to here from You I am well at this present time hoping you are enjoying the Same blessing
I am Sorry to here of You not being in good health but I hope when these lines reach you they will find You better I got a letter from home a fiew days ago and they were all well they are nothing going on here of any importance only the duty of a Soldier
This is the Picture of General R. H. Milroy one of the best Men in the United States Service being that You never Saw him I thought I would Send You his Likeness. This is his true Likeness Give my love To John and Susy and all enquiring Friends So Nothing more at present but Remain You Son
Gen. Milroy Picture Lewis and Mary Smith
Lewis H. SmithI want You for to writ Soon as this Arives
Winchester March 13 1863
Respected Parents
I received a letter from You and also a Box of Pervisions which I very thankful to You for I am well at the present time hoping when these lins reach You they will find enjoying good health
You Said that You herd we were a fighting out here that is a mistake the thirteenth Pennsylvanie Cavalry went out on a Scout one day when they fell in with Some Rebble Cavalry the Skirmishd for Some time when our Cavalry fell back into town they were no regular fight I do not think they are any rebble force betwean here and Stanton the distance of one hundred miles
If they have any desire to come let them we will give them a warm Reseption You wanted to now how the Boys are concerning the new State they are all in for it unanimously
Concerning that money of Jacob Isrial just let him take it and Go to Hell with it if he can live with it he can live without it I would not say any thing to him about it if he is not man anough about him for to pay without asking a dozen times just let him go a be d-----m
He is Small Potatoes and devlish fiew in the hill I have plenty of Stamps and paper You need not Send my any
I got a letter from Granpaps about a week ago they are all well
I have told you all the Particulars Nothing more at present but
Remain Your Son
Lewis H. SmithJohn Henrietta Smith
Winchester Virginia
March 25th 1863
Yours of the 11th was duly received I was glad to here from You and to of Your health improving I am well at present hoping these fiew lines may find You all enjoying the Same blessing they have nothing of importance transpired since I wrote to You last The weather has improved and appearance of things Spring has at last come which this Soldier Welcomes with Great Joy I received a letter from hom a fiew days ago that had arived their they intended to forward it to me the next day I am truly thankfull to You for Your kindness in sending me the Box although we have plenty to eat here anything that is sent from hom is better Relished they are all well at Moundsvill
Pap wrote to me that they were a going to move out on Mr. Burleys Farm about a quarter of a mile from town I think that to be a very good Idea as they can have more privileges and can have things that they could not in where they were
I am Sorry to here of the death of Mr Pees but if he is a Secesh it dos not make any difference I have told You all the particulars Nothing more at present but Remain You Son
Lewis H. Smith
Mary Smith
Lewis Smith Mary Smith
John M. Smith Susan A SmithWrite Soon
Note: This letter is from Henrietta Smith’s sister Sarah. Sarah was living in Keokuk, Iowa at the time.
Keokuke March 25th
Dear Sister
It has been along time since we heard from you. We begin to think you have forgotten us. I rote to you, but have not got an answer yet. I do not know if ever my letter reached you or not. We are very ancious to hear from you and how you are getting along and if John or Lewis are in the army.
I presume you have seen and felt more the affects of this cruel war than we have and we have seen anough to make our harts sick. We have some times as many as two thousand sick and wounded in our city Sue and I often go to the Hospitle to see the poor fellows and cary them some thing eat we also cary them reading Mater ever Sunday after noon for which they feel vary gratefull
Henrietta I presume you are ancious to know how we are getting those harde times. We get along very well Mother, Sue, and myself live to gather Sue has a very nice little school. I supose you know Joseph is married again he lives next door to us
I do not like his wife at all. They are not in town just now, but I believe they are all well. Mother has been in the country all winter at John they have another son they have now three sons and one daughter. Mag lives out by Johns, she is getting almost as fat as you She is getting along nicely She is teach School and has been for the last year it seams to sute her very well Dave and Willy have been very sick this winter but are quite well a gain. We has a letter from William last week and his photograph he looks almost as fat as Uncle Michael Hornish he is still in Chicago we expect a visit from him this spring we have not seen him since he came home from Pikes peake. That is two years. We had intended visiting you if times had not of been so hard but it is to be hoped it will soon be better. How I would love to see you all we often thinke and talke about you. Do write as soon as you receve this for we do want to hear from you so much tell Lewis and Sarah to write I am sure they mite find time to write a few lines Grand Mother and ants would love to hear from them they must not forget they have a Grand Mother and aunts who often thinks of them. Mother, Sue and all the rest send there love to John the children and yourself
Tell John I want him to write to me it is a long time since he furnished me with a line we should like to here from him very much my love to you all. Excuse this short letter I will do better next time.Remain your affectionate
Sister Sarah
Winchester April 10 1863
Dear Parents
Your long expected at last made its appearance which was welcomely received thought you did not intend answering it but I was very agreeably surprised I am well at this present time hoping when these lines reach their destination they may find you enjoying the same blessing
You requested me for to write a letter to Aunt Sarah Hornish I will comply with your request I will write to her tomorrow I can not at this present time sed my likeness but I will the first opertunity
I will also send you one soon You must not think hard of me in sending my picture to the old folks and not sending one to you I don it would please them
Jim Porter has been sick for some time but tell his folks not to be uneasy about him for he is getting better he will be able for duty in a fiew days They are nothing a going on here of any account at the present time every thing is very quiet
The is beautifull and the woods are drying up very fast they will be in good condition if the weather keeps as they have been George Patterson discharge came yesterday he is a going home tomorrow he will be the barer of this letter We herd here that Nick Zediker's wife was dead and also Jo Wiricks and that nearly every person in Moundsvill had the measels
I have told you all the particulars nothing more at present but remain your son
L.H. Smith
Write soon
Camp Martinsbur April 18th 63
Dear Parents
I received your letter in due time but being out on picket for seven days I could not answer it until now everything is quiet here Some troops are leaving and some a coming in I do not think we will leav for some time yet as we have but very fiew horses
They will come more of our boys home on furloug J.G. Tomlinson & Del Thurber they will leave in a fiew days this is a pleasant day to what it has been it has rained nearly every day since I came out here
We have been kept rather buisee since we came out here we started on a scout a Monday night we marched 90 miles in 18 hours and stoped feed and get something to eat for our selves in the meantime I will write no more this time but remain your son L.H. Smith
Write soon
Give my complements to all enquiring friends L.H. Smith
Winchester April 23rd 1863
Dear Father and mother
Moundsvill
Your kind letter was duly received I was glad to here from You I am well at present hoping these fiew lines may find You enjoying the Same blessing I am sorry to here of little Marys illness but I hope she will recover they are nothing of any importance a going on here at this time of any importance every thing is quiet I have not had a letter from Pennsylvania for Some time I am looking for a letter every day
Give my best Respects to G. W. Price and also tell him that I would like to here from him Jim Porter will go home in a fiew days he will go with William Alexander
I will only send you a fiew lines this time I will and and send with Jim
Nothing more at present but Remain Your Son
L. H. Smith
Write Soon
Camp near Fetterman June 28th 1863
Respected Parents
Being that I have some leasure time I thought I would drop you a fiew lines Seeing that you do not care about writing I have nothing of any importance to write so therefore you cannot lack for a long letter We are sittled at Fetterman with orders to march at a moments warning for port unknown to me The weather has been very good here for some time occainnly a little rain which is very excepiable The roads began to get quite dusty
We have good times now drilling on horsebacks nothing but fun a great deal easier than walking and carring a gun The company is generaly well pleased with the change
Hoping to here from you soon I will close nothing more at present but remain your son Louis H. Smith
P.S. James Porter & Tomlinson boys are well
Camp Near Moorefield
August 9th 1863
Respected Parents
I thought I would drop you a fiew lines letting You now where I am and how I am getting a long we are now in Camp at Moorefield after a trip for Winchester where we only staid a day I would of wrote Sooner but had not the time we were on the Move all the time I have not much news for to write we get Sight of a fiew rebs once in a while but not a nough to give us a fight The weather has been rather wet for Some Sometime back and rather warm I have told You all the particulars Nothing more at pres but Remain Your
Son
L H SmithDirect L H Smith
Care Capt H. W. Hunter
Company II 3 reg VA
Camp near Beverly September 5th 1863
Respected Parents
I thought as Alpherd Tomlinson was agoing home to morrow I would drop you a fiew lines leting you now that I am well I wrot you a letter some time ago but have not got an answer yet
Alpherd will tell you more than I can write My compliments to you all Nothing more at present but remain your son
Lewis H. SmithWrite soon
Note: The above Alpherd is Alfred Tomlinson, my gr grandfather. - Phyllis Slater.
Camp Beverly Sept. 17 1863
Dear Father & Mother
your letter was received yesterday evening and found me enjoying good health I am sorry to here of granmothers illness and would like very much to see her if circumstances would permit Furloughs are not given only when it is nessorsary that money you sent me was very thankfully received it is as much as I need at present Alpherd went home day before yesterday I send a fiew lines to you by him I would like if you would send my over coat out in his care As for me getting discouraged you need not be uneasy
I never was in better health and spirits in my life the war will be over some time if we have good luck The weather is very fine rather cold nights and mornings but we can stand it nine more months then things will be over with us
I do not now when we will go to the rail roads it may be some time I will inform you of our movements I have told you all the particulars Nothing more at present but remain your son Lewis H. Smith
P.S I will write a letter to Gran mother today
LHS
Write soon as this comes to handTo Miss Marth Smith
I am sorry that I insulted your dignity but I hope you will excuse me this time I will do better in the future I would like to now how your getting along at school and whether you are as flirtish as you usto for to be Maybee I have insulted you again if I have I beg pardon
My little Miss
By sending my compliments to you and your school mistress i will close I still remain your afft brother L H Smith
Miss if it is agreeable I would like to here from you
Camp Beverly
Oct 19th 1863
Dear Parents
Your kind letter was duly received and found me well hoping these fiew lines may find You enjoying this same Blessings You said that You wanted to send me some things I think we will be at the Rail Road in a fiew weeks then I will let You now what I want I do not stand in need of any thing at this present time
I am glad to here of Gran Mother a getting better and also to here of George Faris a being home I suppose his mother is not sorry Give My Love to Matty tell her I will except of Some of her nice things when I come home
Nothing more at present but RemainYour Son
L H Smith
P S I wish You would Send Me Some Post Stamps they can not be got out here
Direct Louis H. Smith
care Capt H.W. Hunter corp I 3 Regm
Va Vol Mt. Inft New Creek HampshireNew Creek Novmb 21st 1863
Dear Parents
Expecting that you would be uneasy about me I thought I would drop you a fiew lines leting you now that I cam through safe so therefore I will endevor to give a sketch of our lite raid through Leixie We left Beverly on the 1st of November abut noon we did not worry non when we started where we was a going but after the second days march they could not keep the secret any longer we all new then that Louisburgh was our destination that is perviding the Rebs have non objections we got along with out much dificulty occasionaly the roads was blockaded and now and then a chance Rebble Scout would make his appearance but nothing of a serious character happened till within twenty miles of Louisburgh when the enemy appeared in som force
Then we new we would hav to fight before we got posesion of the town that we are marching for The enemy took a position on top of Druse Mountain and said that they would hold their position as long as they had a man left Gel Jackson was reinforced by three thousand more troops under the command of Gen Eckels
Our advance begun skirmishing with their pickets abut 8 o'clock in the morning the fight becum general about ten and lasted until abut four in the afternoon the second and third Va Regmt attacted the front while the 28th Ohio and tent Va flanked to their rear the enemy had throwen up breast works of rails and dirt which made it more dificult for our men to shoot at them but they got with in ten feet of their works when the order was give to charge which was do in good stile the rebs run in every direction leaving their clothing and guns dead and wounded in the field
we followed them twelve miles that night it got sow dark we could not go any farther sow we went in to camp for the night The next day we took Louisburgh with out any trouble their we were reinforced by Gel Duffie (?)
I do not now how many were killed on eather side but the loss was heavy on boath
Our company was not in the fight the reason why they were not is that we were in the advance the day before and the general order us to the rear to guard the train and do picket duty I was on a hill where I could see the battle going on through a glass
If you see any of Mr. Tomlinsons folks tell them that Granvill is well but that we have not herd any thing of Simeon since the day of the fight he went out for to try to get a horse for one of our boys whoes horse had givin out whether he was taken prisinor or not we cannot say as we have not herd any thing from him since
I have told you all it particular nothing more at this time but remain your affectionate son LH Smith write soonNotes:
This letter describes the Battle of Droop mt. - Nancy Smith.
The Simeon Tomlinson mentioned above was captured and sent to Andersonville prison and died there. - Phyllis Slater.
New Creek Station
Dec. 21st 1863
Dear Parents
I would of ansured You letter Sooner but owing to circumstances I am at present enjoying good Health hoping You are the Same
They are nothing of any importance a going here at present They are some talk of us a leaving here in a day or two but where to I can not say but I will let You know where we stop at I do not think we will leave the Rail road than you can come out
Give My Compliments to all Enquiring Friends Nothing More at present but Remain You SonL H Smith
Write Soon
I am sending Capt Hunters Fotigraph
Capt. Hunter's Picture
Note: I believe the following letter is from Lewis’ Great Uncle Michael Hornish (his mother’s uncle) - Nancy Smith.
Centerville Wayne Co. Ind Dec 26
Dear Nephew
I have neglected so long to answer your letter that I am almost ashamed to write atall but it is quite a task for me to undertake to write a letter. But the will is good and nothing gives me more pleasure than to hear from my friends. I am almost laid up with the rheumatism again but am still able to attend to my business.
There is very little of interest going on in our vicinity and times are rather dull. Our Christmas passed of very quietly in fact the day seemed almost “like Sunday.”
Snow has been falling briskly sence last night and there is a Prospect of good Sleighing.
I am glad to hear that you are prospering but I don’t want you to think I have forgotten you for I asshure you Such is not the case and never will be. If I had leasure and health I would like very much to come up and make a visit to all of the folks but I will have to forego that pleasure as it is impractable.
You aunt is well as usual and sends her respects to all.
I have had several letters from your Mother and answered her last a few days sence
Well as there is nothing more to write worthy your notice I will close hoping to hear from you soon again and I promise I will be more punctual in responding in futureNo more at present
But I remain
As every you
UncleM. L. Hornish
Jan 13 1864
Dear Parents
Beeing that I have Some leasure time and a good place to write I will drop You a fiew lines I am at present enjoying good health and hoping You are the same
We arived here at Martinsburg on Sunday night and a cold one it was I came down on a Passenger train from New Creek we all got through the late Raid safe except Louis Teughs and Isaac Hartly they were taken Prisinor at Jackson River I wrot You a letter when I left New Creek but never got an ansur Yet They were quite an excitement here this morning the Citizens thought the Rebs was a coming in town but I think they have given up the IdeaSoon I will (?) Nothing More at present but
Your Affect. Son
Lewis H SmithDirect
L. H. Smith
Care Capt. W. H. Hunter Co. I
3rd Reg Va Vol Me Infty
Martinsburgh
Va(Top portion of this letter is missing)
Camp 3rd Regt Va Vol Mt Inft
Near Martinsburg Va
Jan 24th 1864
Dear Parents
This Makes The Third letter I have writen & have received no answer I want this to bring one or I will quit I Am at present enjoying good Health hoping You are the Same They are nothing going on here of any importance so therefore I have Nothing to Write
The Bearer of this is Wm H. Lindsey is an Esteemed Friend of MineNothing More at present but
Remain You Son
L. H Smith
Camp 6th Regt W Va Vol Cav
Near Martinsburg W Va Feb 18Dear Mother,
Lou and the turkey arrived all sound & fit for action the one to act & the other to be acted upon. Lew is very good in his way but I preferred the turkey Lewis hand prevents him from writing it will get well I think pretty soon it does not pain him much in every other respect he is well & hearty enjoying himself Bye the way you may look for him home in the course of a week or two He has let his patriotic heart over rule all scruples & reenlisted in the great Veteran army that will shortly be the admiration & fear of the world
Of course you will make a party for him when he comes & he is sure to have Miss Amanda Price there do now that’s a good kind Mother
I know you will you wont refuse the great big spoiled good-hearted boy any thing
Jas. A. Porter is well & so are all the town boys I must beg a thousand pardens for writing this Lew coaxed me to & here he sits reading as usual & wont tell me a single word to write I know you won't be angry for a woman that could find heart enough to send me a turkey won’t get angry at a sattle patted soldier boys nonsense & impertinence
Oh yes & when Lew goes home mayby I will be with him & I want you to pick me a wife among the fair ones in your town Please dont scold Lew for reenlisting he couldn’t help it if you was a man you would have done the same
Tell Manda that Lou sent her a valentine but he don’t want her to know any thing about it
Remember I don’t want any body picked for me except they are good looking & no person is good looking unless they are good & happy you know tis an old saying “to be good is to be happy” Indeed I would not have written this medley if I would not have known you to be good natured I know a Mother by her sons My brain is muddled feasting on the many good things sent on trough by Lew Good bye don’t be angry & remember I don’t forget the turkeyVery respectfully yours humbly
Paul R. Hanen
camp 6th W.Va. Vol Cal April 27 1864
Dear Mandy
Your letter bearing the date of the 22nd was duly received I was truly glad to here from you I will endevior to be more propt than I have been here to fore Every thing is the same as when you herd from me last We had orders to leave this morning by rail road but the order was countermanded by some cause or other I received that potograph I scarcely know what to think of it I think I must of been in a bad humor for it looks somewhat sour You can let mother have two and your mother have one the rest you can dispose off as you see it Tell mother that she can get some any time by leaving an order the one you sent I give to Lew Purdy to look at he would not give it back again I will try and get it from him and send it my next letter
Tell Molly that Lew is well and in fine spirits he frequently talks to me about her I think if him and I had thirty days longer we would have a wedding before we would come back
John G. Tomlinson started for home this morning on a veteran furlough I wish him a good time I sent by him to you a pack of union cards which I hope you will receive in rememberance of the giver I would like very much to go home be fore fall if they would be any chance Home is a word that rings in ones ears with a melencholly sound it comprises every thing that is near and dear to one that is absent but I hope it will not always be as it is now I long to see the day when this rebbellion is stopped and all my return home to enjoy a peacefull life
Give my compliments to your mother tell her that if she goes out to our house not to get scared at the little dog again Lewis sends his love to you I will write no more at this time I still remain yours Lewis H Smith
To A. PriceP.S. Please write soon Give my love to you
Duffield station May 19th 64
Dear Parents
Your letter was duly received it found me well and not wounded as you herd
I went down to Shepherdstown about five miles from here and got shot at but was not hit therefore they are a mistake some where They are no danger of any of us getting hurt as long as we stay here we are nothing more than rail road guards
I am glad to here that you was honored by receiving a visit from Gran and Dell I hope they enjoyed themselves I have an idea that Gran and Becky would come to terms before he comes back I wish him success I understood that Gran was arrested and had to pay a fine on account of Ellick Emrich I do not think that was right Emrich is a d-----Mr Scoundrel I would not give five sense to save his infurnal neck he is always getting some in a fuss by experience
We are having a good time here nothing to do but ride around through the country
Lew and i would like to have been at that picknick no doubt but what they would have a gay time
Lew Dick sends his compliments to you all as I have nothing more to write I will close remain your L H Smith
P.S Please send me some post stamps
Yours without a doubt L H Smi
Duffield Station
June 4th 1864
Respected Parents
You may think me rather indolent in not writing to You oftener than I do but such is not the case I avail Myself of every opertunity to let You know how I am getting along and where I am I believe it was from this place that I wrote to You last five miles from Harpers Ferry We are having good times here the reason why we are here is that them of our Regiment that did not Reenlist their time is nearly expired and the Regiment will have to be Reorgannised Some say we will go to Wheeling soon if we do I will come up to see You The weather here is Beautifull but rather warm I received a letter from hom a fiew days ago they were all well except John he had the Meesals but was getting better I want you to write and let me Know all the news I herd that Lewis Henry was Killed and that several others from that neighbourhood was wounded let me Know wheather it is true or not I have not much to write as they are nothing a going on of any importance at this time
Give MY compliments to Adam Beck Family and all enquiring Friends
Nothing More at present but Remain Your SonLewis H. Smith
P.S. Give My love to Susy
Adress
Lewis H. Smith
Care Capt. S.B. Prdy
Company I 6th Regt. Va Vol Cavaly
Harpers Ferry
VirginiaLewis H. Smith
Write Soon
Note: This letter was written to Lewis’ grandparents.
Duffield Depot
June 10th 1864
Dear Parents
Your letter Came to hand in due time and found me enjoying good health You wanted to Know wheather we was a going to Wheeling or not I can not say positively but we will go some where soon but where to I can not say Every thing is a going on fine here the weather is pleasant - every thing lovely they are no news of any importance as You all know as much about the war news as I do Give My Compliments to all enquiring Friends
Nothing More at present but Remain
Yours
Lewis H. Smith
Write Soon
Louis A. Dieh Sends his love and best Respects to all of You L.H.S.
July 3 1864
Moundsvill Va
Dear Sun
I received your letter last night and 20 dollars in it I Can a sure you that it was thankfully received for I have Comence to have it and had now money for to get anny thing for harvest I have nothing for to sell untill I get my grane Cut and thrashed I have as good wheet as there is in the Country and my other grane is as good in Proportion
We was glad to here that you are well and the rebels Did not get a holt of you we are all well at this time grane is vary heigh the speculaters wants to engage wheet at 2 dollars a bushel and Potatoes at 1.25 cts a bushel oats is 96 cts Per bushel Lewis hans is sary scarse here I was oblige for to hire a negar I got him for 15 dollars Per month for boys only fourteen years of age wont work for les then 20 dollars Per month and I Cant stan that
Wm Coontz was up to Pennsylvania the other day and he saes that Granpaps folks is all well I have now news for to tell you only George Gutterey was drafted and had to Pay three hundred dollars & Bow Zedeker was drafted and his father had to Pay three hundred dollars for him that made old Leeniss Spit I have nothing more for to tell you at this time Write as soon as you get this letter
Tell Lew Deets that I seen Mary last night and she was well
J H Smith L H Smith
Moundsville July 3 1864
Dear Brother
As you do not think worth while writing to me I thought I would write you a few lines Will and I just came out here and Miss Nansy Troy from Sunfish Lew I tell you she is a mighty good looking girl I was down at Sunfish last week I saw your girl Miss Boughner she is a mighty fine looking girl We were expecting all you boys home for the fourth we anticipated a fine time but I fear we will be disappointed Lew I wish you were here to day for dinner Mother is in the kitchen baking biscuits pap is lying on the floor little Jonny is sitting on him singing We’ll rally round the flag boys Will has been working in Sunfish for about four weeks he is working for a dutchman in the tanning business he gets 15.00 per week he is not going back for a couple of weeks he has agreed to cut paps grain for him harvest hands are very hard to get Lew this place is so dull there is nothing going on here if you boys had come home I think it would have enlivened it some Miss Troy was just wishing you were home I showed her your photograph
She says she considers you very handsome She sends her compliments to you Lew as I have nothing bur foolishness to write I think I had better stop I want you to write to me I think you are real selfish
Will sends his respects to you
From your affectionate sister
Sallie A. Moore
LH Smith
P.S. Please write soon
Cumberland Allegheny co. MD
Dear Wife
I drop you a line telling you now Lewis condition I ask the doctor this morning and he said that he was as well as could be expected for the wound that he had he wont let me come home for a day or too yet his sore is begining to run
He is geting very tired of his bed but he sufers no pane it is an raffel hole in his body I am a going for to treye and get Gran Tomlinson for to stay with him until he is abel for to come home and if he dose I will be home sum time this week
the best of attention is paid to the souldiers here
everything is nice and clean the ladys is very kind to the boys but they dont stay any time in the hospital they just go in and out again I want Will for to work the potates and sugar cane if the barley is not reddy when the wheet is cut and tell James for to stick at the corn as much as he can I will en close 2 dollars in this letter for you boarding is very high here I haft to pay 80 cts per day Do the best you can until I come home for I will be home as soon as i can
Write soes I can get a letter by thursdayHenereitta Smith J.H. Smith
Note: The following is a letter to Lewis' father from a family friend, P.G. Tomlinson regarding the mare Lewis rode in the cavalry. ![]()
Lewis H. Smith, Corporal, died of wounds at Cumberland, Md., July 15, 1864.
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Camp Worth Branch July the 20th 1864
Mr Smith Dear Sir
It is with plasure that I take the present opertunity let you know that I am well at this present time and hope if these few lines reaches you that they may find you all the same It was your request to find out how money there was comming to Louis there is $72 dollars and the capt is a going to collect it and send it to you as soon as the boys is paid off and that will be pretty soon now and it was also Louises request to have the mare sent home
I talked to the capt and he said that he was a going to take the mare through by land he is a going to take a horse through for him selfe and he says that he will lead the mare through No more at present but remain yoursP G. Tomlinson
Note: This letter is from Lewis Smith’s paternal grandmother, Mary Smith, written to her son John H. and his wife Henrietta and their children.
Washington Oct. 10th 1864
Very dear children
We received a letter from you some time ago. It has not been from forgetfulness or want of affection That it has not before been answered. I was waiting on this newspaper and Photograph. My wish was that you should have all together We are all in usual health. But Susy and she has the headache. If you wish Johnny to come here to school it is time he was here now Susy has been going since the first of the month. If you intend to send Johnny here to school send him to Washington to Ed Smiths’ and if it is to late for him to come out let him stay there over night. Your pap is a going to tell Ed Smith tomorrow to take care of him. John you pap says if you by apples this year be careful for they are so very plenty he thinks you can not make much on them unless you sell them to some person before you buy the orchard.
See in the newspaper there you will find Lewis’ death and text from which his funeral sermon was preached by our Minister. May we be prepared to meet him in heaven, you and yours. I often think of with tender interest. God almighty bless you my dear children farewell we may meet no more on earth. Shall we meet in heaven. A kiss to each and all not forgetting little Johnny Moore. Write soon. Spend in writing one leisure hour. It could not be much better spent be assured we would like to have you write often
Nothing more at present but remain you affectionate parents Lewis Smith
Mary Smith
Susy B. SmithJohn H. Smith
Henrietta Smith
John M. Smith
Mattie Smith
Love to Will and Sarah Moore Sarah when you write to me I will send you a Photograph of the same kind Mary SmithN.B.
We had a letter just ready to take to the office when your last letter come to hand we opened it again to let you know the particulars bring the little mare and Johnny as soon as you can I have the barly ready you wished me to buy ready for you I bought it from Adam Beck you say you have some things there for us bring them on they wont come amiss We have nothing strange only old Grand pap Davis died last night
Come SoonMary Smith
THE FAMILY OF LEWIS H. SMITH Generation One
Lewis Smith 1786 - 1876 PA
m.
Mary 1792 - 1872 PAChild:
*John H. Smith 1814 - Bet. 1876/1880John B Hornish 1789 - 1831
m.
Hannah Kuntz 1796 - ? PAChildren:
*Henrietta Hornish 1816 -?
Sarah Salome Hornish 1818 - ?
Joseph Kuntz Hornish 1821 - ?
John Philip Hornish 1823 - ?
Margaretta Cathrina Hornish 1825
Wilheim Alexander Hornish 1828
Susanna Marie Hornish 1830
Anna Elizabeth Hornish 1832
Generation Two John H. Smith
m.
Henrietta Hornish abt. 1812/1813
LEWIS HALLAM SMITH 1839 - 1864
*Sarah Ann Smith 1840 -
Joseph E. Smith 1842 - 1842
Mary R. Smith 1843 - 1843
Hannah M. Smith 1846 - 1846
William D. Smith 1848 - 1855
John Martin Smith 1851 - 1870
Susan B. Smith 1853 -
Martha Elizabeth 1855 - 1948
Harriett Smith 1858 -
Baby Smith ? - 1862Generation Three (Nancy Smith, contributor of these letters, descends from Sarah.)
Sarah Ann Smith
m.
William Moore abt. 1861 - possibly son of Charles and Eliza A. Moore.Children of William & Sarah Ann:
John Lewis
Maude
Sarah
Clementine
William
Anna
Fay(Other children of Charles & Eliza A. Moore: Sarah L., Virginia, John, Clementine)