General John Hunt Morgan is captured
Author
Recipient
Date Written
July 28, 1863
History Referenced
Member of Series
Theodore Longwood was 20 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Mary Ann Longwood Stevens, was 41 when it was received.
Theodore Longwood died 13 years, 8 months, 2 days after writing this.
It was written 160 years, 2 months, 5 days ago.
It was a Tuesday.
July the 28th 1863
Warrington Junction, Va.
Dear Sister,
It is with pleasure I set down to write you a few lines to inform you that we are both well and in good spirits. I got a letter from you while we was at Frying Pan Church. One also just after the Battle of Gettysburg. I do not remember whether I answered it or not. If I did not please do no think hard for we have been on the march nearly every day since we left Falmouth which was on the 12th of June. We have not had a chance to write to you as often as we would have done if we had been in camp. Morty wrote Frank a letter a few days ago, we also got a letter from Will. Yesterday we learned through him that you was neither killed nor seared to death by old Morgan. He spoke about his going a soldiering. I wish I could have been with him on that expedition.
Some of the people in Hoosierdom can see a small part of the sorrows of war, but I think if they could [go] to Virginia where there has been two great armies rovering for more than two years. We destroy more since we come into Virginia this time than we ever did before. The Generals send out foraging parties ever day to capture all the horses and cattle that can be found. I think the rebels will be sorry they ever made a raid in Pennsylvania. Old Lee was very glad to get away from [there]. He said he would never go back to Pa. again.
We have just got the news that John Morgan has been captured with all of his forces. I guess they will get tired of invading northern soil. I think the southern Confederacy is getting almost played out. They have lost several important points this spring, and old Gen. Lee has had his army badly cut up since he first started to Pa. He is in the Shenandoah Valley. I suppose his intention is to go to Richmond but we are nearer there than he is so perhaps it is our intention [to] head him [off] at Richmond. We have stopped here on the railroad merely to get supper. Then I expect we will be on the march again but for what point I am not able to say. We have marched about 300 miles since we left Falmouth. We have stood the march splendidly. There is scarcely a sick man in the regt. The boys are all in good spirits. The prospects at present look fare. I think the war will not last much longer.
I would like to see you all very much indeed but I suppose we will have to be content until the war comes to a close. I got a letter from Ma today. They are all well. She said when old Morgan passed through Indiana, they got all ready to move away. I wish I was there I expect we would laugh at it after it is all over and Morgan captured.
Now as it is getting almost time for the mail to leave camp, I will have to close by sending my love to you. Mort sends his best respects to all of the folks. Please write as often as you can. Tell John and Charley to write as often as they can so I still am yours as ever.
Theo Longwood
Scans of Letter
