by William Samuel Craig

March the 8, 1863

Larkinsville, Alabama

My dear, I just received your kind and welcome letter that you wrote in the month of February the 19. It has been a long time coming the last letter before this I got it in February the 10 so you may know how often I hear from you. Still dear, I guess you do the best that you can and if you do that I shall not think hard. You should know that I have a poor chance to write still it is my delight to write to you dear as often as I can.

Continue reading → Letters From The Civil War (1863: Mar 8; Apr 17 & 22)

by William Samuel Craig

Envelope: Mrs. Levica Craig; Leroy McLean Co., Ill – Postmark: Cheney’s Grove, Ill

March the 13, 1862

Louisiana Youngpoint Vicksburg

My dear beloved wife once more I am permitted to write to you again after reading your kind letter that I just received the 13 of this month. I am well, fat, and fine. My health is good. I believe better at this time then it has been in the last 5 years but, my dear, there was a time this winter that I thought my time had come to die. I gave up all hopes of meeting with you and my sweet baby but thanks be to God I am well now.

Continue reading → Letters From The Civil War (1862: Mar 13; Oct 5 & 8; Dec 14)

by William Samuel Craig

Envelope: Miss Levica Craig
Miles Point
Carroll Co., MO.
Soldier’s Letter – W. E. Crissey
Act Adjt 116th ILL [–unreadable–]

June the 9, 1863

Vicksburg

My dear loving one, this day once more I have the privilege of writing to you. This day nine months ago I bid you farewell. It was the hour of midnight the time has passed away and I am still blessed with good health. It will not be nine months more till I am with you, dear, I hope. I have spent many a lonesome hour since that time. It is a good schooling one that I never will forget. Still I am not dissatisfied of the army if it was not for you, my dear, and them two little babies. You are on my mind both day and night and I can’t help it neither do I try. This 9 months is worth thousand dollars to me. I would not take that for it. Still I am exposed to every kind of weather but I have got used to it and hard living but if the good Lord spares me a little longer I will you on or before [–unreadable–].

Continue reading → Letters From The Civil War (1863: June 9 & 23; July 11)

by William Samuel Craig

September the 8, 1863 – home, home, Lord

Camp Sherman, Miss.

My dear and beloved wife, it is through the hands of providence that I have this privilege of writing to you and more in order to let you know I am getting along. I am still in the land of the living blessed with a reasonable portion of health. At this time my health has been very poor till now and, my dear, I hope these few lines may find you enjoying the very best of health and all of the connection.

Continue reading → Letters From The Civil War (1863: Sept 8; Oct 13 & 18)

by William Samuel Craig

February the 21st, 1864

Larkinsville

Well my dear, I have nothing to amuse myself only to write you another letter. I just sent one to Frank today. I have nothing of importance to write at present but I may before I close. This is Sunday and I may get a letter from you tomorrow. I hope so.

Continue reading → Letters From The Civil War (1864: Feb 21; Mar 22 & 27)

by William Samuel Craig

April the 15, 1864

Larkinsville, Alabama

After almost losing the presence of mind and dreaming about you and waiting last night till the mail train came in this morning at 1 o’clock I was so fortunate as to receive 2 letters from them sweet hands of yours which has released my mind in the highest degree. I received them about 2 o’clock this morning. I lit my candle and commenced to write in my weak way and manner. Your letters was dated April the 4 and April the 6. Your letters has found me in the veriest best of health and in the presence of mind again. I was so glad to hear that you was well. I do not know what to do hardly. I would like to write you a interesting letter but I don’t believe I can. My mind is with you so much that I can’t keep it on this paper enough to make it interesting to you but I will do the best I can.

Continue reading → Letters From The Civil War (1864: Apr 15; Aug 16; Dec 24)

by William Samuel Craig

March the 27, 1865

Goldsboro, North Carolina

Editor’s Note: Across the top of this letter, this is written:

Dear I have been in another hard battle the 4 of this month. It lasted four days and nights. It was at Kingston but we drove them.

Continue reading → Letters From The Civil War (1865: Mar 27; Apr 3 & 9)