Franklin County: Jacob Middows to Elizabeth Middows, August 14,
1864
Summary:
Jacob Middows conveys to his parents his satisfaction with military life. He criticizes
militia men who failed to defend their homes from the "Johneys Rebes." He also informs his
parents of his intention to send his pay home and gives instructions for its use.
14th 1864
AD
August
Camp Near Petersburg
Dear Parents
it is with the Greatest of pleasure that I seat myself to inform you and My Brothers and Sisters that I like it well and
am well feel
hearty like it
better now than Ever I did I hope that you all
are all well and all the Rest about [unclear: tomstorm]
I'll now state to you that I Received your Letter last night And was Glad to hear from you all And was glad to hear that you all
wasn't yet disturbed By The Johnny Rebs you Stated in your letter that they
was
moving
everything out Of Town now if they
would be men that
would take
[page 2]
their
guns and go outside of the Town to defend
themselves Not Stand there with their hands in their
pockets and Look like fools and look at their houses burning If they do that in then And their houses ought to be burnt but Still I would
sooner
see
Quincy burnt all To hell and old Doctor Newcomer and Old Westz In it then we would get more mail by his doctoring it cannot take a letter two weeks to come
down here letters that Is mailed
others places come
inside of [unclear: 4]
days and the letters that comes from there it takes almost 11 days to come so he is a dumb Old Rascal and if you get time
to go to Quincy
[unclear: whi] let him
[page 3]
Read this letter we are getting Paid off today I draw 1.20.10 that is
one hundred 20 dollars 10 cents
I'll
express 1 hundred 10 dollars and maybe fifteen dollars I don't want to keep so much money here I send it to you and if you want to make use of it why you may get the children
whatever
they want that is in the eating line And Close but you must be A little
saving i don't
know we we will be paid off
again. I must stop now and go and get my money it is a big pile but you
shall have it all but five or six dollars and when that is all I'll
write for some more so I must go and get the gin
bats that is so Johnny Rebs I'll now commence
again I got my money I got one hundred
[page 4]
And Twenty Dollars
I'll Send you one hundred and 10 dollars
home I'll
express it to Waynesboro Or Greencastle I don't
know
which but I'll let you know
I'll
express it tomorrow
I'll let you know
I'll
write you another letter tomorrow
when I express my money I'll Think I must bring my Letter to A Close For this Time So no more you Can look for
1.10 Dollars At Adamses express Office In Waynesboro
So no more but Remain your affectionate Son
Jacob Middows
Give my love to all inquiring Friends we are all well that is from Thomstom me and George Gates is in one tents together and live balley. I'll write another letter when I express my money To his Mother Elizabeth Middows
