Civil War Letter - Philander Curtis
 

Philander Main Curtis of Boone County Indiana was mustered into Company D, 102nd Indiana Volunteer Regiment at Lebanon Indiana.

He wrote the following letter:

Sigourman Society
Indianapolis, Ind.
16 of April, 1864
Lebanon Presbyterian Academy
Lebanon, Indiana

[To] Miss Isabella J. Curtis
Elizaville, Boone County,
Indiana
Campcarington
April 15th 1864

Dear sister

I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am in the enjoyment of as good health as I ever enjoyed in my life Hoping that these few lines may find you and all the rest of the folks enjoying the same blessing. I think that I am ganeing about one pound or something less a day. I am detailed as cook in the kitchen where I can eat as much as I please. that suits me to a ty, You know, we have verry strict orders about garding here. The order is if anyone goes to cross the guard line to shoot to kill. There has been two or three boys shot and wounded in attempting to brake guard. One fellow shot himself through the hand while on gard and had to have two of his fingers taken off. We had quite a fire in camp the other night, one of the barracks caught fire, and burned down, causing a gret excitement in camp. The bugle sounded to arms and all the men came out armed with their camp kettles filled with water and marched out to attack the enemy, which they succeeded in conquering after a hot fight of a half hour. We pulled down two other barracks to prevent the hole camp from burning up. I think it was set by some person. I have not drew any pay yet nor any prospect of it, I think as soon as we draw our money we will get to come home again on furlough, if we don't go away. For a few weeks longer, our colonel says, he will give furlows to all the boys who didn't take a french the time of the election. All those that went home without furlows are forbidden from anymore furlows during their stay in the state. I will have to quit writing as it is time to get the supper. I want you to tell Wallace and Marsh to be good children and father will bring them something when he comes home. Well now I have just finished eating my ration of bred something less in size than my foot and a chunk of met to correspond. I feel as tho I had eaten A whole meal. Now if you will turn this leaf over you can see the other side. I am geting tired and it is late in the evening, so you must excuse me for not writing any more. Give my respects to all who inquire after me and take a good share of them yourself.

Write soon, and tell Dorcus to write to me.

I remain your cincier friend and brother.
Philander M. Curtis

Submitted by: Peggy Curtis Smith
[Original in possession of W. Morris]