Wayne Alford, 6th Indiana Infantry, Letter 15 Dec. 1861, Camp McCook, Kentucky

Description

Wayne Alford, Sergeant, Company "E", 6th Indiana Infantry, died of disease in June of 1862, Letter home to his parents, 3 large pages, 15 December 1861, from "Camp, McCook, Kentucky," Alford writes about sending money home through an officer, a bridge at the Green River and expecting to advance soon, a presentation sword for the Colonel (Thomas T. Crittenden who was later promoted to Brigadier General), and includes a thought about serving his country and death, in part:
"
We are still at Bacon Creek and are enjoying good health, in fact I enjoy myself with regard to health as well as ever I did.  When we drew our money we were expecting to march in about an hour or two but the orders were countermanded and we are still here.... I drew .20 and Lafayette .80.  We concluded that we would send home some of the money, for it is impossible to keep money here.  Captain just took all the money from our Company and rolled it up.  We expressed it to old Colonel Van Trees
(in the records Van Trees was Captain of Company "E")
and he says he will take a delight in sending the friends word...... Well we have had no fight yet and I don't know when we will.... I will try to write 1 or 2 letters per week..... Green River bridge will be done Monday next and then I wouldn't be surprised if we advanced..... the officers of the regiment presented the Colonel with a fine sword this morning they say it cost 2.00 it was a real fine thing, gold mounted, it was the finest sword I ever saw..... this being my birthday I feel to return my sincere thanks to the god of battles for his kind care that I feel he has constantly had over us since we have been called by our Country to expose ourselves in its defense.  It is my earnest prayer that our family may all live as becometh Christians and Soldiers and may have the privilege  of once more seeing each others faces in the flesh and when we come to dye  we may have a part in the first
resurrection and claim the promise that over such the second death shall have no power.
At the end of the letter another soldier, James S. Laverty of the same company writes a note: "
Wayne is writing and as he is done I will say this much.  I would like to hear from you occasionally ...... We are looking for a fight every day.  The troops are in fine spirits.... Laverty.
"
In fine condition, folds.
Wayne Alford enlisted into the 6th on 14 October 1861 and died of disease while in the service on 14 June 1862 in Corinth, Mississippi.  He had two brothers who also served in the Union army including Lafayette who was in the 6th Indiana.  All three died during the war.  A book was published in 1995 entitled "The Alford Brothers: We All Must Dye Sooner or Later."