Letters written to Lottie Sanders, Kendallville, Indiana (letter 1) (sic) Head Quarters 88th Ind. Vols, Martha’s Vineyard April 18/65 “Dear Friend Lottie,….. Well Lottie you wrote me a good letter and I wish I could favor you with one in return, today the sad news reaches us the Abraham Lincoln was murdered at Washington though we cannot find out by whom. Oh how horrible to think that after four long years of bloody and honest war…… Sherman will use stricter means than he did in South Carolina. Our beloved says today that if this is the case, that hereafter we take no prisoners, but kill as we get them. I was out yesterday foraging and got done in by two rebels.”… “Sherman and Johnson had a (indistinct) yesterday, and negotiating for peace. God speed the day when peace again shall comfort or land, not that I am tired of fighting rebels, but that there has been enough blood shed for the present and several generations to come…..” (letter 2) w/envelope. Camp at Chattanooga, Tenn, October 16/63 “… We can see the rebel camps clearly from our present position (sic) have had very wet weather here for the last week there is considerable sickness in the Regiment now our drinking water being of such an inferior quality. Dan Keller is homesick again and there is not a boy in the company that respects him as a friend. As for the war I feel confident that the enemy are getting plans which will require military genius and few more hard bought battles to assail. They are too proud to succeed until their last until their last hope for success is exhausted. A few more such victories as Vicksburg and the day is soon. Our Regiment has been changed to the Brigade 1st Division 14th Army Corpse commanded by General Rousseau instead of General Negley….” (letter 3) Camp in the woods near Tullahoma Tenn. July 8/ 63 Note: this letter is badly faded and difficult to read. (letter 4) w/envelope. Head Quarters 88th Ind. Vols, Greyserville, (sic) Georgia March 30/64, “….. Although the enemy may show the best defense, our boys are more confident of success, and with that confidence and bravery, I think we shall win and God speed the day that is to decide the matter…..” (letter 3) w/envelope. Camp of the 88th Ind. Vols, in the field near Marietta, Georgia, June 9”/864 (sic) “…. We have seen some pretty hard times since we left Greysville Georgia, We left that place on the 5th day of May and half of the time since have been in the front line of battle either fighting or skirmishing with the enemy all the time and most of the balance of time we were marching through dust, through rain and some days were so warm it would at times seem almost impossible for the poor boys to go further. Though with courage they would go a little further hoping soon to hear the bugle sound “halt” and such a searching for water and when we do have a chance to find a well of spring, there is such a crowd that it is almost impossible to get enough to wet your throat! Such is the daily routine of soldiering…. the worst of all is when it comes time for his turn for picket… instead of going to rest after a day’s weary march…. Sometimes the only thing that will keep him awake is the whistle of a rebel ballet cutting close to his ears….