Pvt. James Wilson, 30th Ohio Infantry, DOD, Civil War Archive 

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Jun 12, 2015 - Jun 13, 2015

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• Lot Description
  Lot of 10 letters written by James Wilson, Company G, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to his uncle and aunt from a variety of camps and hospitals, in which he explains his condition to his family in Steubenville, Jefferson County, OH, ca 1862-1863. The convalescing soldier’s correspondence reveals insight into a private’s thoughts about the war and his general officers in particular.
  
  From the General Hospital in Ohio, J. C. Jackson writes to Wilson’s uncle…I think his days are about numbered if you want to see him before life departs I would say come quickly . . . . . his medicine is brandy two table spoons full every half hour.
  
  From the Post Hospital near Alexandria, VA, Wilson writes to his aunt, sharing that a rebel prisoner in Washington stated that they’re on their last legs . . . . he is sick of it and says if he was home he would die before he would enter the service again . . . Wilson tells his aunt I have never regretted volunteering but I think I done right. I owed it as a duty to my country. My home is of no use to me if the union arms do not triumph. He states that he believes that the war will be over in six months.
  
  Again from the Alexandria Post Hospital, Wilson writes to his aunt, they are trying to put McClellan out of his position again. If they do they will have to put his army out with him . . . I heard his soldiers say they would not serve under any other general if McClellan was suspended by old grisly Fremont we want to serve under our brave Little Mac and no other for he is the best general.
  
  From Camp Cannelton on the Kanawa River in western Virginia, Wilson writes his aunt, the steam boats come within 12 miles of here now and when the river raises they come above this place we are going into winter quarters and commenced to level of the ground for the houses today we will have very good quarters to winter in. I have an appetite like a horse . . . I am never bothered with any cough . . . He states that if we stay here . . . I want you to send a good lot of cigars and a lot of smoking tobacco. The private states The war is virtually at an end in western Virginia . . . . I need not make mention of our trials on the march they were hard enough God knows but I have stood this all and can stand more. I don’t think this war will ever be settled . . . by fighting but by compromise and the new Congress will settle it it cannot last long for the soldiers want it settled the worst kind of a way they have had their fill of soldiering . . . .
  
  From Camp Ruth Udell on the Kanawa River, Wilson writes his aunt, I have a slight attack of the fever . . . Sunday morning about two o-clock I was cold and all shaking I went to the fire and could not warm myself. Referring to Colonel Ewing . . . I did not like him at first but the more I see of him the better I like him he is a very stern man but he will do a man justice.
  
  In a letter to his cousin, Wilson’s health is deteriorating…I am not very well I have a stiff neck and a very bad cold. He writes of the CSA forces . . . no armed rebel force within over 100 miles . . . but a weak small insignificant force out at Princeton and they have to rob for their support also they are ragged and barefooted. Wilson was sad at the removal of McClellan. He writes concerning Burnside . . . he is beloved more than McClellan. An example is related of Burnside’s respect for privates. If he is talking to a private and an officer comes up the general will not allow the officer to interrupt the conversation…Such a man is General Burnside beloved by all his troops and has the confidence of the country he cannot fail to be successful . . . In December of 1862, Wilson writes that he believes the war will be over by the 1st of May.
  
  In a letter from Hospital No. 12, Louisville, KY, in January of 1863, Wilson informs his aunt, I have had my side blistered it was very severe but it has helped me. He also writes Our brigade left today for Nashville or Vicksburg . . . . they went down the river on boats. There are about 300 men in it [ Hospital No. 12 ] mostly the wounded from prriesville [Perrysville ] fight. Some of them have lain on their backs for three months and never been out of bed. You must excuse this bad writing as I am so weak that I almost hate to take hold of a pen anymore.
  
  Wilson’s last 2 letters originate from the General Hospital, Gallipolis, OH. In general, he tells his aunt that recently he has felt worse and did not sleep for three nights because of a severe cough. He requests that he be sent biscuits, pies and a couple or three cans of peaches. He requests more letters and news from home. A letter to his brother says I am a little better than I was . . . . . I would like to attend one of uncle Jimmy’s prayer meetings once more just for a change. The weather has been so bad that I could not get down to town.
  
  The thoughts and feelings of a volunteer Private in the 30th Ohio are accurately detailed in his correspondence. A continuously positive attitude, love of his family, and belief in the Union cause allows Wilson to endure his dire medical predicament. 

  Condition

  Expected wear to letters considering age.
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