Franklin County: Sylvester McElheney to Harriet
McElheney, October 6, 1864
Summary:
McElheney writes about his sightings of rebels while out on picket and describes
the shooting of a soldier who tried to desert. He also expresses his love for
his wife.
October the 6 1864
Campt front of rebles
dear wife
I set myself this morning to let you know that I am well at present and I hope these lines will find you all well. I was out on picket on Sunday nite and monday and I seen lots of rebles wer we stand picket and farther from the rebles there is this [illeg.] [illeg.] and was five rebbles comover and said that they codent stand it much longer and were laing at [unclear: the] breastworks. we aint in very much danger.
Hally I wod like to se you and
tha
littal
wons but I Dont suppose that I
will for awile but I wont you
to send me your likeness an I wont
marys and aneys and if
ther is anny won
[page 2]
takin likenesses there eney
plas I wont you to get yours
and little Joseph on won plate and send them as soon as
yocn
for I think long to se
tham. Philip is well and the rest of the [added: the boyes]. Philip sent his [unclear: clothes]
hom and I sent you to [illeg.] and som
nives and my neckerchief and you can get tham
thar. Hally I dream about home nearley every night. I dream that I was toking to you and you war
[illeg.]
[illeg.]. I wont you to send them likess as soon as you can for I think long to get
them. I wrote two letters to pap and I wrote you one and I haven't got aney yet but I think I wil get
won soon.
I can set in my tent and see the steeples in Petersburg. See them very plain. We have moved about 5 miles from the camp that we was at when I wrote to you before. There was a man shot in our regiment. He was shot by one of his own men. He was on picket and he went to relieve him and he halted him and he did not stop. Nothing more at present but write and write as soon as you get this letter.
Sylvester
Direction: Co. F. 208th Reg. P.V. City Point in care of Capt Palm, Washington, D.C.
