Below are letters written by David W. Poak, of Co. A, of the 30th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, that mention the 78th Ohio in one way or another. Poak enlisted on 12 Aug 1861 as a sergeant and was promoted to lieutenant 13 Jan 1863. The 30th Illinois was brigaded with the 78th from 18 Dec 1862 to sometime in December of 1863. Before that they were in the 3rd Div but 30th Illinois was in the 1sr Brig and the78th in the 2nd Brigade.
Camp near Davis' Mill, Miss. Jan. 8th 1862
Dear Sister,
It has been sometime since I last wrote to you and you will no doubt wonder at
my long silence but I tell you that here has been no opportunity to send any
letters and even now I don’t know to any certainty that they will go. The only
mail we have recd for sometime was yesterday morning at our camp near Coldwater.
I recd 7 letters among others two from you. The last letter I wrote you was from
Water Valley bearing date of Dec.20th .Our stay at that place was not of long
duration, for on the evening of the 21st just when we were getting supper recd
orders to get ready to march immediately. We got started about sundown and
marched back towards Oxford 8 miles. The idea of making a retrograde movement
did not suit the boys but they could not help it. We got to camp that night
about 9 o’clock cooked some supper, and then lay down on the ground without
tents over us .Was up next morning by four o’clock, and was ready to march at
half past five but did not get off until nearly eight .All the bridges and
trestle work between Water Valley and Oxford were destroyed as we fell back. We
got to Oxford on the morning of the 22nd about one o’clock. Remained there
until the morning of the 24th when we took up our line of march towards
Abbeville where we arrived about dark that evening .The next morning Christmas
our company was sent out into the country foraging. Perhaps a few extracts
from my diary of that date would not be uninteresting to you. The extracts
that I shall give you were hastily written whenever a leisure moment presented
itself and are very defective in many points so you need not show them.
The morning Christmas we were allowed to remain abed or aground ( for we were
sleeping on the ground without any tents and but one blanket to two men) until
after daylight which was rather unusual for us. On getting up instead of finding
the Christmas breakfast we used to at home we found that ours consisted of a tin
of coffee some hard crackers and some boiled beef, this latter however running
short before our appetites were satisfied .We were compelled to roast some fat
bacon,(familiarly called by the soldiers Sow Belly) on the end of a stick and
finish up on that. Shortly after breakfast our company in conexion with
one from the 20th and one from the 78th Ohio Regiments were ordered out foraging
.This we found dry work as the country had been scoured by the troops as they
went southward. We went out about 4 miles from camp got 7 good cows ,3 calves
,six hogs,4 barrels corn meal and other things to tedious to mention. The
property we took belonged to Capt. Lee of the rebel army. We arrived in camp
about 4 oclk p.m. Found out they had been looking for an attack during the
day, and felt some anxiety on our account lest we should be taken .Had fresh
Pork for supper which we relished exceedingly well as we had eaten nothing since
morning. Rebel army reported in heavy force at Oxford .Expect to march in the
morning. Our wagons came from the opposite side of the river this evening,
so we have our tents. Contrary to all our expectations we remained near
Abbeville until the 3rd of the present month.
During our stay at this place we were first on 3/4 rations, and then it was
reduced to 3/8 rations. The last two days we were there we drew nothing from the
government. Our Brigade did not feel the short rations near as much as the
rest of the Division as they were on the north side of the river and did not
have a good place to forage. We sent out large forage trains every day
which brought in lots of provision, and as then were ten miles close by we had
lots of corn meal and flour. The first full rations we got was on the 4th
of the present month. These short rations were caused by the rebels cutting off
our communication with the north. I suppose you have heard all the
particulars of the surrender of Holly Springs by Col. Murphy. This is
decidedly the most disgraceful thing that has ever happened our Western Army.
I cannot but think that Murphy is a traitor and that he sold the place to
Gen.VanDorn. He was warned the night before that the rebels were advancing and
were within 3 miles of the place. Still he made no preparations to defend the
place. There were strong brick buildings at the depot , and any amount of cotton
,so that he could have blockaded the streets and kept any cavalry force at bay
until the reinforcements which he knew was coming to his assistance could have
got there .But enough of this. I will go back and give you a few incidents
of our march. On the evening of the 3rd of this month we recd orders to
cross the river. This we did arriving at our camp about 8 o’clock at night
and in the midst of a heavy shower of rain. While we were setting up our
tents it rained as hard as I ever saw it, and the wind blew so that it took four
of us to hold up the tent while the others staked it. After we got it up
and went into it we found the ground covered with mud and water at least 4
inches deep. We placed in a few rails and thought we would spend the night
sitting up but tired limbs and sleepy eyes soon overcome us and we concluded to
try sleeping on the rails. My partner went out and brought in a large lot
of brush and He and I had a middling good bed but the rest lay down where it
looked impossible for a man to lie let alone sleep. But all I guess slept
middling comfortably notwithstanding their hard beds and wet clothes. The
next day was spent in drying the blankets and clothing. The next morning
we had orders to start at half past seven o’clock, but did not get off until
one. We marched to Holly Springs that day [letter ends abruptly here]
Jackson Tenn June 12th 1862*
Dear Sister,
I again take my seat to pen a few lines for your perusal. It has been
sometime since I last wrote to you the cause of it was that we were moving round
and had no mail route established. We are now in the city of Jackson sixty
miles north of Corinth at the Junction of the Mobile and Ohio railroads.
This is a beautiful place. The nicest we have been in since we left home.
The town stretches over a large extent of ground. The houses are not built close
together like they are in most of the cities but each house has a large yard
around it and this yard is full of flowers, shrubbery and shade trees all kept
in the nicest style. The citizens are all secesh of the rankest kind but I
will stop here and tell you something about our march from the camp before
Corinth. We left there one week ago yesterday and marched out about 14
miles on the Purdy road. The next day we marched about 10 passing through
Purdy (which is quite a nice place) and going about five miles beyond it.
The next day we marched to Bethel a small place on the Mobile and Ohio railroad
about two miles distant from our last camp. The next morning we got in the
cars and started for this place. Our force consisted of 9 companies of our Regt
part of the 78th Ohio and 3 companies of the 18th Regt Ills. When were came
within a mile and a half of the town two companies of the 78th and companies “A”
and “F” of our regt were deployed as skirmishers to advance into the town and
find if there was any force of the enemy there. We advanced and got into
the centre of the town before anyone was aware of our presence. Then came
the running to and fro. Men, women and children could be seen running in
all directions everything was turmoil and confusion. After we got in the
main street we marched down to the Court House where finding out that there were
some rebel cavalry camped down at the fair ground our Co started double quick to
get them but when we got in sight of their camp we saw 8 or ten of them leaving
in great haste. When we got to their camp we found they had left
everything. They had been eating dinner and their rye coffee was still hot
on the table. They had been in such a hurry that they had not even taken
their guns with them. We 15 or 20 guns, five wagons and 14 mules and a
considerable amount of camp equipage. I found a cavalry saber which
answers for a sword. The next day after we came here Col Marsh’s brigade
came in. The citizens were looking for us the day before we came and a
number of them were out in line to fight us but the next day they were taken so
by surprise that they did not think of fighting. We have found and are
still finding large quantities of stores belonging to the south. We found
secreted in one cellar 50 barrels of flour and 27 Hogsheads of sugar. We
are having very pleasant time here now fruit is plenty and is getting ripe.
The dewberries are ripe and there are the nicest patches of them here I ever
saw. We gather them and get pies made of them. Blackberries are also
plenty but are not yet quite ripe. Peaches and apples are also abundant.
Times are very hard here. Salt is worth from 40 to 50 dollars a sack.
Coffee is worth from 1.50 to 2.00 dollars a pound and other things in the same
proportion.
The news of the battle before Richmond on Saturday and Sunday is here and there
is a rumor afloat that it is taken but it is not confirmed. I rec’d a
letter from Polly yesterday written on the 1st. I will answer it if I can but if
I don’t get time this will have to do for both of you and I want both of you to
write to me. Excuse bad writing for I have done some awful thing in this
letter.
Write soon and often. Send me some more stamps, I cannot get any here.
From your brother.
D.W. Poak
On Board Steamer Fanny Ogden*
Eagle Bend, Miss Mar 23rd/63
Dear Sister
Your very kind letter bearing date March 8th came to hand today and found me
exceedingly glad to get it. My last was written on the 16th while at Lake
Providence and if I remember correctly I told you that part of our Division had
embarked and predicted that they were going to Yazoo Pass. In this I was
mistaken as they only wound up the river about 5 miles and debarked. I
have understood since however that Gen Logan had orders to proceed as I told you
before but after embarking and cutting the Levee received orders to await them
until further orders when he was compelled to move up to find a camping ground.
On the 17th while we were eating supper received orders to break up Camp
forthwith and go on board a transport. We embarked that night and the next
morning moved up and joined the remainder of the Brigade. When we were
left behind at Lake Providence it was the general opinion that we were going to
be put in another Brigade so when we came up and they found we were not changed
the 78th Ohio Reg turned out, presented arms and gave our Regiment three cheers.
They also placed guards over some board fence and would not allow any man to
touch a board until we came. I mention this merely to show you the good
feeling which exists between our two Regiments as it is rather uncommon for
Illinois and Ohio troops to get along well together in our part of the army.
During our stay at this last place called “Camp Logan” or “Berry’s Landing” we
enjoyed ourselves firstrate but were not allowed to remain long as on the 22nd
(Sunday as usual) we received orders to once more go on board the boats.
Everything being in readiness at 5 o'clock we steamed down the river arriving at
this place about nine o'clock. This morning commenced unloading but had
not proceeded far when we got orders to stop. About 10 o'clock Gen
McPherson and Logan arrived and after viewing the place for a while started down
to Gen Grants Head Quarters leaving us orders to remain on board until they
returned. The idea is for us when we leave these boats to march across about ¾
of a mile Bayou where there are boats to convey us to Yazoo River but the ground
between the river and Bayou is very swampy and there being no good road built
artillery cannot pass and Gen Logan does not want to move infantry out without
some batteries. The weather last night and today has been decidedly damp
and the plantation on which we are landing presents nothing but a continuous
sheet of water so you may imagine we are going to have a delightful time.
When we leave here I understand that we are going to leave all our camp
equipage. This looks some what as though a Fight somewhere was intended.
The entire army is closing in on the flank of Vicksburg and I think that during
the next few weeks some hard fighting will be done with what result remains to
be seen but I am middling confident of success and hope for the best.
Vicksburg once reduced I will think that we have done a big springs work.
You spoke in your letter about seeing May Fullerton. Which May was it?
I remember the I Bob’s May It was the day I left home and she told me she knew I
would not stay away two weeks. I wonder if she believes it now? I
would like to meet all the young folks again that I used to associate with.
I think I could put in a pleasant time. How are soldiers received back there
now? I think when they all return they will be at a discount for some of
them have certainly acquired habits that will not be very pleasing to the good
folk at home.
I received quit a compliment from Col Shedd a few days since on my military
deportment since I have been in the service but my candle is burned out and I
will have to wait till morning. Tuesday morning Mar 24th/63. Gen
McPherson has not yet returned from Young’s Point so on that score I have
nothing more to tell you. Last night we had more rain which added greatly
to our comfort and the beauty of the surrounding scenery. I forgot to tell
you last night that I wrote a letter to JR Miller a few days since in answer to
one I received from him while in Illinois. I felt almost ashamed to write
to him after having neglected it for so long but I thought if a letter from me
would interest him any, better write it late than never.
You said in your letter that you had recd a letter in the Current from W. Ben
Cunningham and he did not appear to like the army. If he does not like it
in his present position what would he think had he shoulder his musket and
fight. What has become of Bob Brewster. I never hear his name
mentioned now. Does he still live in the Cottage? I expect were I
back there now while the Boys are away I would hardly find any person I know.
I would like to run across the Jackson once. It would do me almost as much
good as to go home. The Superior carrying the two Generals is coming back
and a few minute will decide what we are to do.
I have since learned that we are to dissent back in the morning and first now
have recd orders to send all our camp equipage to our old camp. Wont we
have a nice time in these swamps? Comment is unnecessary. I
will write you the first opportunity.
Your Brother, DW Poak
Camp 30th ILL Infty
Near Jackson Miss
July 13th /63
Dear Sister
Yours of date 28th June came to hand on the evening of the 12th July and found
me busily engaged in preparing to move from our camp at Bovina. On the
morning of the 13th at 5 o'clock we broke camp and started in the direction of
Jackson Miss. About 7 o'clock A.M. crossed Black River at the point where the
Rail Road Bridge used to be. About 2 oclk P.M. reached the old “Champion’s
Hill” battleground where we camped for the night. During the evening I
rode all over the contested ground and found many things that looked very
natural besides many marks that showed plainly how stubbornly the place was
contested. In one grave I saw 8 of our Regt buried while in another just
alongside were several others buried with members of the 34th Indiana Regiment.
It was at this point of the field that our Regiment lost most heavily. The
34th Ind belonging to Hovey’s Div was driven from their position on the brow of
a hill where our Regiment was sent to retake it which we did with heavy loss.
Our soldiers that were killed there, were very neatly buried but I am sorry to
say that the Rebel dead were very carelessly interred. I saw one place
where 50 of them were had been thrown into a ditch and some dirt thrown over
them. The heavy rains since that time have washed away the dirt and now
their remains lie bleaching under the scorching rays of a southern sun.
On the morning of the 14th took up our line of march and came to a small town on
the Rail Road between Jackson and Vicksburg called Clinton distant from the
former about 10 miles, where we remained last night and until 9 oclk this
morning. Last night Col Shedd and I took supper with an old friend of his
who used to live in Aledo Illinois. Notwithstanding that he was a man of
considerable means our supper was of a very ordinary character owing I suppose
to the scarcity of provisions in this country. This morning about the time
the Division was leaving I called on an old Lady and her daughter with whom I
had become acquainted when passing here before and spent an hour very
pleasantly. During my stay they gave me a plate of ripe figs to eat.
These were the first I have ever eaten in their natural state and I cannot say I
like them very well. They are very abundant through this country and are
just commencing to ripen.
Today we came to this place about 3 miles from Jackson where we are now
encamped. Gen Johnson is in the City with a force variously estimated at
from twenty five to forty thousand and Gen Sherman has the place invested.
The familiar boom of the cannon and the sharp crack of the sharpshooters rifles
are constantly heard. I don’t know what we will do but suppose we will
move up to the line tomorrow. I have not heard any news yet about the
position of affairs at this place so I believe I will leave my letter until I
find out some news.
July 16th If I stopped writing yesterday evening to wait until I would learn
some thing about affairs here. I am certainly concerning again too soon as
I know nothing more now than I did when I quit. News came in yesterday
evening that our men were skirmishing at Clinton with some rebel cavalry and Gen
Mathias Brigade of our Div was sent back to reinforce them immediately.
This morning three Regts of our Brigade and 1 Battery of Artillery started for
the same place on double quick. The 78th Ohio Reg of our Brigade remained
at Clinton yesterday when we left so I suppose if there has been any fighting
there they have been engaged. The rebel force is supposed to consist
entirely of cavalry under command of Gen Jackson (one of the men we whipped at
Britton’s Lane last fall) and their object is no doubt is to try to capture a
large train of commissary store which is now on its way out here. Our
rations have all to be transported from Black River to this place on wagons and
I expect the Rebs will bother us all they can by making raid on our trains.
Matters in front appear to be very still. I have not heard over a half a
dozen guns this evening. On our march out from Black River was one of the
most novel spectacles of the war. The two great armies that had so lately
met in the terrible shock of battle, marched out side by side, the one with
quick elastic step, buoyant & flushed with victory. The other pale and
dejected & humiliated by defeat. The one with bright uniforms, banners
floating to the breeze, music playing, bayonets glittering in the sun.
The other clothes in rags and stripped of all their paraphernalia of war.
Their Officers and men and ours mingled freely together. They acknowledged
the genius of Grant and the bravery and perseverance of his army but warned us
that the “Last Ditch” that ever receding point of rebel desperation was awaiting
us at Jackson. We traveled together until we came to Edwards Station when
they took the road leading to Raymond and we continued on our way into this
direction. Their Officers are trying to get them into a parole camp but
the majority of the men appear determined to go home and swear they will do so
at all hazards. Large numbers of them have already left the main today and
gone home and I very much miss my guess if Gen Pemberton ever succeeds in
getting the one half of his army into Camp. The most of them are very
strong in their denunciations against Pemberton and swear they will shoot him as
soon as they get out of our line.
The weather for the past few days has been very cool and pleasant, the nights
most exceedingly comfortable for sleeping. After dinner for the last hour
the cannonading and musketry in front has been quite heavy. I have not
learned the cause. The rebel line of works is very near the City and if
there any inhabitants in the place I think they will have a rather warm place to
stay. They will not have the large hollows for protection that they had at
Vicksburg. The people through this country feel rather badly about the
surrender of Vicksburg but appear to think we cannot take Jackson. They
have great confidence in Gen Johnson and in his ability as a General.
Vicksburg has however learned them a lesson. They have found out that this
Yankee Army is not such a trifling thing as they had supposed. You can see
that they are fearful about the result of the next engagement between our two
armies. When we passed through here before on our way to Vicksburg they
appeared glad to see us going thinking no doubt we would be entirely annihilated
but now they would much prefer not seeing us coming. You spoke in your
letter about getting a letter so & so & wanted to know what I thought of it.
Tell me who it was from and then I can answer you better. I recd a letter
from Lyd at the same time I recd yours which I will answer soon. When you
write to Will Officer give him, as well as all the rest of the Boys my best
respects. We have good news from the east if it only proves true which I
most sincerely hope it will. If matters continue favorable as they have
been for the last two weeks I think the Confederacy will play out within the
next year.
I am getting along fine in my present position. Everything moves along
pleasantly. The Company Sergeant formerly belonged to our Company and is a
firstrate young man. The Quarter Master Sergeant is also very pleasant and
agreeable and understands his business firstrate. I have written all I can
think of at the present. Give my respects to any enquiring friend.
Your Brother
D. W. Poak
Tell Emma Williams that I answered he letter immediately after its reception and sent, if it has never been recd it is no fault of mine.
Vicksburg Miss July 28th /63
Dear Sister
You cannot imagine my joy when a few evenings since I was the happy recipient of
two letters penned by you hand. One bearing the date July 9th and the
other July 12th. But now comes the try of war. Your letter have been
recd and read and doubtless you will be looking for something in return while I
am at a great loss to know what to write. During the last two months being
used to so much excitement, now that everything is quiet it appears impossible
for me to write. Yesterday I took my pen and wrote about a dozen lines to
you when I gave up in disgust at the effort. How I may succeed today
remains to be seen. Well my last I believe was written from Near Jackson
Miss on the evening of our arrival at that place. Our stay there was
destined to be of short duration. The same evening of our arrival at that
place one Brigade of our Div was sent back to Clinton, a point on the R. Road
between Jackson & Vicksburg distant from the former place 10 miles. In the
morning when our Div left Clinton the 78th Ohio Regt was left behind to garrison
the place and to guard the road against incursions of cavalry or guerrillas.
Some of the Citizens seeing this small force left there and knowing that Jackson
with a heavy cavalry force was hovering round in the vicinity, went out and
informed him of the facts and requested him to come in and “gobble them up.”
That day he did advance on the place and in the evening just at dark drove in on
our pickets. That night he camped close to our lines doubtless thinking
that all he had to do the next day was to come in and parole them but what must
have been his surprise the next morning at daylight to find instead of one Reg,
five. They brought their force up as if to make an attack and then beat a
hasty retreat. The following morning after our arrival at Jackson our
Brigade returned back to the same place where we remained until several days
after the evacuation of Jackson when we took up our line of march for this place
arriving on the 23rd inst. We are now encamped on the North side of the
City near the river bank and with a few rods of their inside line of works.
Our location is not as pleasant as it would be if we had some shade but as a
general thing, there is a pretty good breeze blowing which tends to make it
somewhat more agreeable. The view from our camp is beautiful. We
have a view of the River for about w miles either way including the landing at
the City. I cannot imagine since I have seen the positions and number of
rebel batteries commanding the river at this point how a single transport ever
succeeded in getting by. Where the river makes the bend just above the
town the boats have to come within 20 Rods of this place to keep in the channel
and immediately opposite the bend and on this side of the river there is planted
at the waters edge a battery of very heavy guns. How all these guns could
miss I cannot imagine. But this is nothing. The river is for miles
is lined with artillery both on the bluffs and on the low ground near the water.
A short distance above and within sight of our camp lies the wreck of the
“Cincinnati". Workmen are busily engaged either in raising her or taking
the guns, I cannot tell.
Our Army is being furloughed to the amount of 5 percent and large numbers of
soldiers are daily leaving for home. I do not expect that I will get to go
home this fall as no Officers are allowed to go except on surgeon’s certificate
of disability. Our Lt Col made application a few days since and it was
rejected so unless different orders are issued it will be useless for me to
attempt to go. Should matters take a change and there be an opportunity to
I have the promise from the Col that I shall go first if I wish.
Our Brigade is being paid off and we are expecting our pay today or tomorrow for
the months of May and June. The weather is very warm and until within the
last few days, has been very dry. We have had since we came here a couple
of very refreshing rains which made the air much cooler and relieved us for a
short time of an immense amount of dust. Mosquitoes are plenty and
extremely savage in this vicinity. I have a mosquito bar which protects me
but I pity those who have none. The men through camp look as though they
had contracted small pox, their faces being covered with red lumps, the effect
of the mosquito bites. I am getting along finely in my new position.
I have made arrangements to draw a large lot of clothing and camp equipage
tomorrow or next day. This drawn (page has a hole and is unreadable) I
will have little to attend to for sometime. Our Regiment baking is in
operation again and we have soft bread in abundance which is quite a luxury
after living so long on hard bread. The health of the men is excellent so
far. I fear though that we will have a good deal of sickness this fall.
A good many of the troops are leaving for other points. I think that our
Div and perhaps our Corps will remain here to garrison the place. Enclosed
you will find the congratulatory orders of Gen McPherson and Logan to the troops
under their command after the surrender of this place. Please tell me
which you think is the better.
I have nothing more at present
My respects to any enquiring friend
D. W. Poak
HdQrs 30th ILL Infy Vicksburg Miss Jany 7th 1863
(1864)*
Sister Sadie,
I am almost ashamed to acknowledge that I have again received two letters from
you I had written none to you nevertheless it is a fact. Yours of Dec 16th
came to me a few days since and the one written Dec 21st arrived today
accompanied by one from Lydia. I have not had a busy time before since I
have been in the Army and I have since 1864 command. We have a great many
more Returns and Reports to make out at the end of the year than any other time.
To add to this we have been recruiting “Veterans” for the last week and as soon
as I would get commenced at anything some one would come in and want something
and I would have to stop. I think by the end of the week everything will
be straightened out and I will have a little more leisure. On New Years
day the officers of our Regiment had a meeting and resolved to make an effort to
reenlist ¾ of the Regiment as Veteran Volunteers. So the next morning each
one set to work and in the evening of the 5th we had raised ½ a man over our
quota having 245 out of 326 the latter being the number to reenlist. What
do you think of that for the Old Thirtieth? We can beat the “Home Guards”
yet. We are very busy making out the Muster out and Muster in roll now in
order to get pay. We expect to leave for Springfield Illinois between this
and the 20th of this month to be furloughed from there for 30 days. The
Pay Masters that are to pay Veteran troops arrived last night. Our
Regiment is the only one in this Brigade that went in entire. In the 2nd
(our old) Brigade three Regiments went ??? the 32nd, 68th and 78th Ohio.
We have been having exceedingly cold weather for the last week, colder than any
we had last winter I think. Good wood is a scarce article in these parts
and as we are unable to get coal this winter we are sometimes rather scarce of
fuel. I think I told you in one of my other letters that Mrs. Shedd and Mrs
Strang have been making preparations to give our Regiment a dinner on New Years
day. When that day came it was so bad they had to postpone it till some
other day. Having waited now 7 days without getting a suitable one they
today divided out the eatables among the men. As it is now nearly 10
o'clock I guess I had better close for the night. Friday evening Dec 8th 1863
finds me seated before an unfinished letter notwithstanding I promised myself
when I quit last night that this should be finished and sent off in this
mornings mail. But as what cannot be cured must be endured. I
suppose we will have to let it go this time providing I make the promise so oft
made before that I will do better in the future. Our Division was to have
been reviewed today by Maj Gen Hunter but for some cause or other was not. The
other Regiments of our Brigade were drawn up in line for over one hour waiting
for him but he did not make his appointment. The most of our Regiment being out
on duty, ??, did not have to turn out. Today was a good deal milder than
yesterday by tomorrow the weather will more than likely pleasant. Gen
Maltby had a detail from our Regt today sawing some cuts off the tree that the
surrender of Vicksburg was made under, these cuts he intends sending to Gov
Yates and I understood that they were to go with our Regiment. One of the
Boys gave me a key today made of the wood of that tree. I suppose I might
call it the “Key to Vicksburg”. I have not hear of Duff yet concerning
that land but I have understood from other sources that it has been sold to
another person. If it was done before he heard from me. I am not
very particular I would just about as leave it sold as not. The things I
have brought from home have disappeared since. It would be a very great
breach of discipline for a soldier to save anything this long. They adhere
strictly (especially in such cases as this) to the old Motto “Never put off
until tomorrow what you can do today” I believe I have exhausted all subjects I
could think of so I believe I will close. I shall tell you more about the
trip to Illinois in my next. Write soon.
Your Brother
DW Poak
---------------
*Letter mistakenly dated the previous year