1862 Civil War Letter — 67th Ohio — "Beauregard has been defeated" at Shiloh

Description

This letter was written in April 1862 by Erwin Welsh, a wagoner in the 67th Ohio Volunteers. Lieutenant Colonel Alvin C. Voris [later major general; WIA at Fort Wagner, July 1863], then commanding the regiment, signed the included cover addressed to Welsh’s wife in Fulton County, Ohio.
In the letter, Welsh discusses going with another soldier, Private Edward Robinson [died of disease August 1862], “out this forenoon about 5 miles from camp and got 10 bushels of shelled corn, some soft bread, and chickens.” He also inquires about First Sergeant James H. Baxter [killed July 1863 at Fort Wagner]. He then encourages his wife to “write often, for you don’t know how very good it does a soldier to get a letter, and especially from one that he would give more to see than anyone in the known world.” He adds, “this is the sentiment of my heart and will always be as long as I continue to breath….”
Welsh then closes the letter with the news that “Beauregard has been Defeated” at the Battle of Shiloh, just two days previous. In addition he writes, “Island Number 10 has been taken sure. 10,000 prisoners—General and Staff. This was read to us about an hour ago.”
The letter was written on four pages of a 5” x 8” letter sheet. Good condition with moderate toning. Creased at the original folds. Some edge separation at a couple of the folds measuring no more than 1” from the edge. Includes the original “Due 3” cover with Voris’s signature. The letter’s transcript follows:
Wednesday
April 9th 1862
Affectionate and distant wife,
I must finish this letter this morning. I am well and hope this will find you the same. You wrote and wanted me to let you [know] whether I thought that I would be at home in two months or not, or whether I thought I should be home or not. To tell the truth I daren’t say anything or give any encouragement. I hope so to be sure. You don’t know how much interest I have in your welfare. You are in my mind by night and by day. You must keep up good courage till you see me. Think of me often as you can make it convenient.
Wednesday Afternoon, and will try and finish this letter if the wagon master don’t call me again. I and Ed Robinson went out this forenoon about 5 miles from camp and got 10 bushels of shelled corn, some soft bread, and chickens. Enough of this, and now something else you wrote that you did not know as your letter would be worth reading and if I did not want to read it I could do as I was around to. You need not think that I don’t want to hear from you, and I hope that you don’t think no such a thing. I just thought that you thought any such a thing I should feel was bad.
I want you to write and let me know how James Baxter gets along and all the particulars. You must write me a great long letter any time you write. And write often, for you don’t know how very good it does a soldier to get a letter, and especially from one that he would give more to see than anyone in the known world. This is the sentiment of my heart and will always be as long as I continue to breath, and I hope that you have not lost confidence in me. I don’t feel alarmed in the least. All the world could not make me believe that you would think any such a thing at present.
It has rained and snowed 9 days in succession, and snowed and rained today. When I commence writing to you it seems as though it could not stop. You must write all about how you are a getting along; write the whole particulars. You must not be afraid to write me the whole.
Beauregard has been Defeated and Island Number 10 has been taken sure. 10,000 prisoners—General and Staff. This was read to us about an hour ago. That is all the news that is in camp. Write soon as you receive this from your ever faithful husband,
E. Welsh to Jennie Welsh
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