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THOMAS OWENS 118TH OVI KIA CIVIL WAR LETTER ARCHIVE |
This is a wonderful collection of over 50 Civil War letters written by various members of Company F, 118th Regiments of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry.They are addressed to Dr. R.E. Jones at Gomen, Allen Co., Ohio and to him at Harrison St., Cincinnati, Ohio.Many of these letters are in the original envelopes.Several letters are on patriotic letterhead and 118 Reg. Ohio Volunteer Infantry letterhead.Most letters are from Kentucky; however, there are several from Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia.The majority of the letters are marked "Private" and addressed to "Cariad", a Welsh term meaning Sweetheart/Dear/Lover and written by Tommy R. Owens.Thomas R. Owens was mustered into the Army on August 22, 1862 and died from wounds on December 8, 1864.Tommy's letters discuss his love for "Cariad", his grief over the loss of his two sisters to scarlet fever, opinions of the Kentucky area and residents, and occurrences such as 22 mile marches, being near starvation on half rations, deserters, court-martials and his opinions on politics and the war."I would love peace as well as anyone, but I want that peace founded on the principle of one union, one constitution, and one national flag - the Star Spangled Banner".Other authors include Evan Thomas, Private Co. F, 118 0.V.I. mustered on 8-15-1862, mustered out 6-14-1865; James Nichols, Private Co. F, 118 O.V.I., mustered in 8-22-1862, mustered out 6-24-1865, E.F. Davis, Sergeant, Co. F, 118 O.V.I., mustered in 8-10-1862, mustered out 6-13-1885; and Evan Reese, Corporal, Co. F, 118 O.V.I. mustered in 8-22-1862, mustered out 7-16-1865.Items of interest dicussed are political and racial views, capturing "Rebels", illnesses, hardships, losses, reports of the missing, skirmishes and battles, etc.Notable figures mentioned are Burnside, McClellan, Morgan's Raiders, General Bayard, "Rebel Jiff" and "Old Abe".Areas of interest, skirmishes and battles fought include the Paris, Cynthiana and Louisville, Kentucky area; Covington, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; Lima, Ohio; Mt. Sterling, Kentucky; Kingston, Tennessee; Knoxville, Tennessee; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Fredericksburg; Atlanta, Georgia; etc.Other items of interest included with letters are a composed Union song and two member of Ohio Legislature Railroad passes.The last letter, author unknown, begins "Good News! Johnston has surrendered his entire army to General Sherman.The war is over..."From same estate as Lot 114.EST. $1000. - $2000. |
