Ohio Archive On Family Member Who Is An Officer In The 35th Ohio

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A great group of four war-date Ohio home front letters written by the brother of a Union officer updating his friend on his brother's military experiences. In part: "...[Dayton, Oh., 12/28/61] David [Lt. David Schaeffer, Co. H, 35th OVI] is in Kentucky. The 35th Regiment O.V.U.S.A. under Col. Vandeveer. They have not had any fighting to do yet, and feel afraid the war will be over without making them do anything, but…watch railroad bridges, and protect other public property in secesh settlements. The secesh make great big threats, but have never dared to attack them. David likes soldiering first rate he never was so well in his life...E.A. King is Col. of the 19 Regiment of Regulars, and is now at Indianapolis recruiting. Capt. Long & Stout are not in the army at all. John N. Morehouse is afraid the secesh might miss someone and him. What folks think of the war is considerably mixed. Some think it almost over, others think it will last full three years of tedious rebellion. David says he will be home next fourth of July, and the war all over...David has been at Somerset, Ky for several weeks, they expected that Zollicoffer would attack them but they are intending to go to Lebanon and if necessary move towards Bowling Green as they expect a big fight there soon. I did think this war would soon end but if England comes in I do not know when it will stop...The first two pages of this letter I commenced two weeks ago, but the 35 Regt. was daily expecting a battle and I kept thinking I would wait until it was over and tell you how David fared, but the danger is past. Tolly did not meet them, and they are ordered away...[Dayton, 6/22/62]…it has been longer than usual since I wrote my last. The only apology I can give is that Davis has been at Corinth awaiting the great battle...the Rebels run off as usual without trying their strength. David belongs to Gen. Halleck's army, and W.T. Sherman's division. At this time he is on a march to East Tennessee where a portion of the army has been ordered...He was on the Shilo battlefield, but did not reach it until the battle was over. They marched hard but the rain made such awful road they could not possibly come up in time. All that was seen there when he did come baffles description. He says that no paper will ever tell. We have heard of battlefields, but he says we have never seen one. He has been in some little skirmishes but came off safe so far. The bullets came quite near enough for fun, but not near enough to hurt...There is not so much prospect of an end as there was one month ago. This way the Rebels have of evacuation important points prolongs the struggle. We are waiting the result at Richmond...the new Homestead law will give us a farm, or we can set up store in opposition to you...[12/28/62]…we are certainly under many and deep obligations to you for your generous offer of help and coming as it does from you we receive it in the most kindly spirit, but as our wants are few, it does not take much to keep us, and as there is a fair prospect of my receiving a commission, we must respectfully decline your generous offer. Since writing my first sheet I have been reading a good deal about Washington, Oregon and California. About its scenery, climate and game. Especially the game. It has created quite a desire to go and see for myself. But for the next year and a half I won't dare think of doing anything but marching and perhaps fight a little by way of vanity...[Dayton, 4/11/63]…David says that it is as easy to write to him in Camp as though he was at home, and he is as sure to get it. He says also that he has not had one letter from you since he has been in the service of Uncle Samuel and unless you do write, he will conclude that you are 'Secesh' and [will] quit writing to you. You ask about Mr. Thos. Parrot. He is all right and doing a large Oil Business. He may want to sell out some branch of business, but he is sound and one of our most staunch manufactures...". VG.

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