We are premitted [sic] to copy the following extracts from a letter from George Maxfield, of Co. F 112th Illinois regiment, now at Camp Wolford, near Somerset, Kentucky to his father in this place. The later is dated June 5, 1863.
“I received your kind letter last evening and was glad to hear from you. You can hardly imagine how much pleasure it gives a soldier to hear from the loved ones at home and I think if parents and friends would write oftener to their friends in the army, it would save a great amount of sickness. I know of cases of sickness that were caused by “homesickness.” I don’t write this because I think you have been delinquent in that respect, but because you may see some who have friends in the army, and even in the 112th, who might write more and oftener and by doing so do a vast amount of good – tell them a little town talk, or fireside talk, – what the little ones say about the war, or anything; it will do no harm; but tell them to write.
“I received your kind letter last evening and was glad to hear from you. You can hardly imagine how much pleasure it gives a soldier to hear from the loved ones at home and I think if parents and friends would write oftener to their friends in the army, it would save a great amount of sickness. I know of cases of sickness that were caused by “homesickness.” I don’t write this because I think you have been delinquent in that respect, but because you may see some who have friends in the army, and even in the 112th, who might write more and oftener and by doing so do a vast amount of good – tell them a little town talk, or fireside talk, – what the little ones say about the war, or anything; it will do no harm; but tell them to write.
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On the 2nd of June we had orders to pack up all clothing not drawn, and all extra clothing of the men, box it up and have it distinctly marked and sent to the rear. Officers would not be allowed to take but thirty pounds; the men, but one change of underclothing. So we went to work and had everything in readiness at ten o’clock according to orders. We were all ready to march, and are still ready, but I think we are elected to stay in Kentucky all summer. I am willing to stay anywhere, or do any thing to help put down this rebellion.
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I was talking with an old man a few days since, about Vallandigham’s arrest. He said “that is the way to do it. They have begun in the right place, and I believe if they would keep on at the good work, the war would not last longer than this summer. The only thing that keeps it up now, is the copperheads at the north. It inspires the rebels with the idea that they may yet see a divided north against a united south.” This from an old man who has stood as a Union man through all the troubles in Kentucky. The “rebs” have robbed him of all the horses and cattle he had.
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Co. A went out on a scout a few days ago, on the other side of the river. I think they crossed at Mill Springs. They captured nine horses and five men, drove in the rebel pickets and came back. There were 150 of our men and about a regiment of the rebels; but the “rebs” were afraid to follow our men up, and our men knew enough to keep out of shooting distance.
We have just got [illegible] [illegible] Co. F got very good ones, but they are [illegible] [illegible].
– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday June 18, 1863
Note: The microfilm print of this page varied from light on the lower left hand corner to darker in the upper right hand corner. The last two paragraphs of this letter were in the upper right corner of the page & consequently the last sentence was extreemly hard to read. I will need to check this transcription againt the microfilm to verify the exact wording of the last couple of sentences. Yet another thing to add to my ever growing “To Do” list.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The battle of Stones River was one of the biggest of the Civil War.
Co. C, 18th Iowa Infantry