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Letter written by J. Edward James, 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, on June 9, 1865, at Camp Harker, Nashville, Tennessee, to his sister Lizzie James Lamberson and her husband Harvey, Galena, Illinois.
Transcription:
[page 1] “Head Quarters 96th Regt Ills Infty
“Camp Harker” June 9th 1865. –
Dear Sister & Brother,
You will have to accept a partnership letter this time as I have not the time to write separately and as both of your letters came nearly the same time this one will answer both.
We have been awfully pressed in business for the last six or eight days, making up our “Muster-out” Rolls, a very particular and large job. - we are through now and the rolls have been examined by the Mustering Officer and accepted, and "Hip” Hip” Hurrah" we ans are Mustered out, or as much so as can be here. Though the rolls and papers are not to be delivered to us until final muster out and pay, which will come off at Chicago some time next week, we will leave for “Gods country” Sunday afternoon, pretty certain, and if we are not delayed will be in Chicago Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. It is thought we will remain there only three or four days. I hope no longer. - One thing certain it aint as easy a job to get out of this soldiering as it was getting in to it. But we can see a hole through the wall and are rejoicing at the prospect of a better pasture. We calculate to be home by the 4th July to throw ourselves away, so if you know of any gal that aint spoken for, or one that “wont be in use” for that day please [page 2] recommend this ex soldier, tell her for me I will hire a coach and four (more) if she needs them, and have a “splendid splay” of fire works and ice cream after candle lighting. - They say in the papers that a fellow can get married for nothing at the fair in Chicago by applying to the lady who is boss of the New England kitchen and farm hous [sic]. I dont know what sort of a lady she is, but I believe it is a good bargain and as I have refused lots of plantations down here, I will take it up, ha! ha! “How are you marry”".
In regard to business spoken of, I am glad that you have determined to wait until I get home. I shall keep mum and be patient and hope matters will work for the good of all. – Thank you dear ones for your kindness – I will be ever your dutiful.
I am glad to hear so good a report of the “Boy”, hope he will stick to his principles and be up and kicking.
Have not yet met Mr Brasher, will try to before leaving. Lieut Pool was in the regt a day or two ago, he will not be coming home with us.
This will be the last chance I shall have of writing you ans while I am in “Dixie” and you had better not write me until you hear from me again.
Good night with love of
Your loving Brother
J. Edward James.”
Identifier
sc.0069.001_004.006
Date
1865 June 9
Keywords
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Correspondents
Recommended Citation
"1865 June 9, J. Edward James to Lizzie James and Harvey Lamberson" (2023). Documents. 12.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-mss-jamesje1/12
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