xt70k649q72g_266 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70k649q72g/data/mets.xml https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70k649q72g/data/2009ms132_0088.dao.xml McClellan, George Brinton, 1826-1885 1.66 Cubic feet 3 boxes, 1 flat box, 1 map folder The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Civil War soldier letters (1798-1986, bulk 1854-1915; 1.66 cubic feet) comprise correspondence, newspapers and newspaper clippings, photographs, journals, military records, affidavits and pension claims, poems and songs, other manuscripts, and realia of Civil War soldiers and their friends and families. archival material English University of Kentucky This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed.  Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically.  Physical rights are retained by the owning repository.  Copyright is retained in accordance with U. S. copyright laws.  For information about permissions to reproduce or publish, contact the Special Collections Research Center. Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Civil War soldier letters Affidavits Civil War in the North Correspondence. Envelopes (Stationery) Legal documents. Mayors--Kentucky--Louisville Military correspondence. Military history. Military life. Newspapers. Petitions. Prisoners of war--United States Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877) Reports. Slaveholders. Slavery--United States. Soldiers--Correspondence. Soldiers--United States. Songs--United States. Transcripts United States--Armed Forces--Military life United States--History--19th Century. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Photographs United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Veterans--United States. War and society Washington (D.C.) Transcript of the Letters of Private William E. Spencer as compiled by the collector Wade Hall text Transcript of the Letters of Private William E. Spencer as compiled by the collector Wade Hall 2014 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70k649q72g/data/2009ms132_0088/2009ms132_0088_159/2009ms132_0088_159_19/10208/10208.pdf undated section false xt70k649q72g_266 xt70k649q72g Letter No. 2 to Miss F A Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
Postmarked Ripon, Wis. Oct. 25, 1861
Ripon Oct. 24 1861 *
Dear Sister I suppose you begin to think that I had almost forgotten
you. but that is not the case it is because I had nothing to write. We are
all getting unesy and want to go south whare it is warmer wether. You had
better believe it is getting rather to cold to eat out of doors we I
would not complane if we thought nobody in the fault.
Shirts for the first four Companies arrived last night but no one
knows when any more will come but we here of their coming every day but
that is all.
we wer(e) told that our tents wer(e) on the way last week but no
tents yet I do not write this as a complaint but to let you know how
things are. I think that I can stand it as long as any of them. I had
a fine time at Berlin last Sunday night at Melies wedding I wish you
could have been thare to enjoy the fun with us. They wer(e) married at
home at half past six in the evening and then had supper. Min and I had
grate times washing the dishes while Hat did the cutting up as usual
thares the call for drill so hold on fo the Captain says he has something
to tell us so goo by till after drill.
well I suppose you would like to heare what the Captain had to say
He introduced to us Mr Shipmann of Madison who has Twnety Five men and
talks of joining our Company He came out to make arrangements for his I
men to come on so if they come it will make our company about full. Mr
Shipman said he saw Governer Randell the other day and he told him
that he was ageing to have his regiment equipt as soon as possible. So
you see we have a chance to feel better. when I tell you that I weigh
146 lbs. you will think I have enough to eat and so I do., While I was
writeing I herd a great nois(e) outside so I went out to see what it was
I and lo and behold the Tents had com and 55O Uneforms are on the way
Hurrahh I must go and look at the tents ggodby Give my love to our folks
and all enquireing friends also keep a portion fo(r) yourself and chum.@wo

 (signed) William
Direct te Wm.E. Spencer G0 G let Reg. Wie Cavalry Ripcn Wis.
P.S. The Appleton boys are well ae useuel tell their friends.

 Letter No. 3 _to Miss F A Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
_ Postmatked Ripon, Wis. Oct. 29, 1861
Camp Fremont Ripon O(ct) 28th '61
Dear Sisters Fidealia and Jennie
Your letter of the 25th was not received untill the 26th it found me
with a good apatite fo(r) news from home I asure you and it also found me
enjoying good health which is generaly the case when my apatite is all
right.
When I wrote my last letter with the excuse for not writing I thought
it would reach you before I would get a dun fo(r) not writing but it seems
I was to late that time so please excuse me and I will try to doe better
I in future. with regard to stamps, you expressed so much fear about I will
say they hold out first rate yet, It made me feel very bad to hear that I
had lost confidence in the opinion of Miss Emma my opinion is that you
have t0—been stuffing her a little. Now do you think that if I should
write her an explanation that it would mend the matter. if you think it
would pleas let me know. I am glad that you can find someone to see you
home from the Lodge also that you do not have any srious family quarrels
yet. Now Jennie try and be a good husband and Fidealia try to be an
obedient wife for this is well pleasing in the sight of the Lord.
Col. Danils returned from Washington saturday with orders to buy
horses and equipments as soon as possible as soon as this can be done. We
are orderd to start for Kentucky. I was told this morning we were to move
to Milwaukie this week we cannot tell till the order comes. anything
about it.
when I wrote last part of the tents had just arrived another lot
came the next day thirty in all enough for the first four Companies. they
are a large sircular tent called Siblys pattern, each one will hold about
sixteen men very comfortably each tent is to be supplied with a small sheat
iron stove. Five hundred blankets came the other day so the buoys are very
comfortable in that line. News came yesterday that Five Hundred Unaforms

 were on the rode they will progably arrive this eavenlng. Our company
E will not receive any of them they are for the first four Comompanies.
I was on guard yesterday and last night. we have to stand eight hours
out of twenty four two hours at a time. You had better bel1(e)ve it is
musical, to here the Corporal call tjlrd relief fall in about midnight
when you have Just got nicely to sleep. Ed 1s on guard today poor boy. George
Ed and I sleep together we put our blankets together and in that way we
make a oomfortabde bed. The Appleton boys are all well at preasant tell
their folks(tharse the call for dinner so hold on a bit) While at dinner
Captain Mars told us that the young ladies of Ripon ar(e) going to give
us a plchnick on Wednesday. hurrah fo(r) the Ladies every time. it is
nearly time for drill so no more at preasant. Give my love to our folks
and all enqulrelng friends also accept a portion for yourselves. write ‘
soon. Yours in Faith Hope and Charity
f William
PS be Garefull and make the E and G a little plainer next time I came very
neer not getting the last letter as thar ar(e) a number by the name of Spence
on the groung; oh I furgot tp tell you that I received a letter from
aunt Margaret Saturday she writes no news in particular they are well as
usual

 Enclosed with letter No. 7
West Butler Nov 25th 1861
My Verry Dear Grandson
As I have been reading your kind letter of the 17th to Ethen I thought
it might no be amis(s$ to pen a few lines to you seeing you have stept forwa
ward as one of the defenders of our free Institutions and also supposing
you might have some respect for my age and experience. I have no doubt
you are in a good cause and hope although you are young you may be a bless-
ing to our distracted country and I have no doubt if you pursue a propper
course and live to see the end of the presemt conflict it may be a benefit
to yourself I am aware that you will have many a temptation to vice which
it will be verry important for you to withstand even on every oocation you
u(n)doubtedly will see some hard times but I hope you will remember that
your hounor the honor of your country and your cou(n)tryes God demand
that you faithfully discharge your duty as a soldier and give your superiors
to believe you may be trusted in every place you may have to face the
cannons mouth or bleed on the battlefield but remember that a certain
individual said that resistance to tyrants is obedience to God; my health
is rather poor anad as I am 70 years old it is not verry likely that I
shall ever see you again in this life but I shall long remember the
pleasant time I had with you and the rest of the family when I was at
your fathers. I have 3 brothers sons one sisters only son and lots of
cousins in the army all for the Union and may wisdom guide our rulers
that this may soon be brought to a close and that peace and liberty may o
once more be enjoyed before I go hemee your friends in this place are in
usual hcalth I would like you to send this to.your Father for it is quite
a burden for me to write. I hope if you can you will write me and let
me know how you get along and be assured you shall have my best wishes
for your happiness in this life and that which is to come. I hope you
will remember that one of old said let not the mighty glory in his might
nor the wise in his wisdom but let him that glorieth glory in the Lord.
Remeber now thy Creator in the days of thy wouth but I must close fare-
well and believe me as ever your friend and Grand Pa ,
wm. McKoon
To William E. Spencer

 Letter No. 4 to Miss Fidealia A. Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
Postmarked Ripon,Wis. Nov. 5, l861
Camp Fremont
Ripon Nov. 4, 1861
Sisters Fidealia and Jennie and Co.,
Your letters of the Oct 30th was duly received and red with pleasure.
I am now in the enjoyment of good health hoping these lines will find you
the same. You must excuse my negligence in not answering your letter be-
cause I had nothimg to write, whic(h) is the case with me at presant as you
will preasantly find without my telling.
I went out to Mr Bushes Saturday in the after noon and stayed untill
Monday morning had found them all well and had a good time. saw Elvin
Smith had a good visit with him. I missed of seeing Alfa she started for
home Saturday morning am vary sory about it I expected to make her a visit
but was to late as usual. had all the apples and hickorynuts I could eat
Henry Mills talks some of joining our company hope he will as He is a
first rate fellow I suppose you have herd before this that we wer(e)
musterd into the United States service last Thursday as a Company although
we were not full. Mr Shipman and the men from Madisonlwrdte to you about
did not com as we expected they would. Lieut Pain(e) started Friday for
Butamore to get a squd of 25 men to join our company if he is successfull
in getting them we shall be all right. We still stay in our old quarters
tents for our company have not arrived yet, camp kettles canteens and haver—
sacks for part of the men have arrived,also, shirts and socks for our
Company arrived Saturday. after I left Saturday Colo Danels made the Regimen
t a speech he told them that we should leave probably here within ten days
for Kanosha or Prarie du Chin and that the pay master would be here in a few
days to pay us off. he also gave the Officeers permition to let all the
men have furlows that wanted them, most of them have gon(e) home so the
camp looks lonesom at preasant. I almost had a notion to go to(o) but I
thought I would wate untill we got our una forms then Ed and I will come

 home together and show ourselves; The Ladies of Ripon got up a nice pickin-
ick for us on Thursday everything passed off pleasantly I wish you could
have been here to see us eat while the pretty girls waited upon us.Jenn1e
you better believe the food relished first rate(long life to the Ladies
of Ripon) s
I am glad that thare is hopes of Emmas living through it yet.Now
Jennie you must not teas(e) her any more and be a good girl.
Now girls you must not quarrel about room to wtrte but put in tow
sheets next time. You see it is not fare for me to write a sheet full
and not get but one sheet from both of you in return. I am glad to here
that you have got your shingle out and that Mrs Dickerson has not run you
out yet, Ed is well at presant so are the Appleton boys that are here
it is time for supper and I must close give my love to our folks and all
V enquireing friends also accept a portion for yourselves
Yours in Faith Hope and Charity
I William E. Spencer

 Letter No. Ga to Miss Fidealia A. Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
postmark illegible
Kenosha Camp Harvey Dec lst 1861
Dear Sister Jennie
I thought I would write you a few lines on a separate sheet as
you did the same, although I have nothing speshal to write having writen
all the news to Fidealia, and poorly did at that, as you will see if you
get a squint at it. although this spesiman will convince you of the fact
probably. But you must have mearsy as my table is a peas of past board
laid on a blanket and my seat is the straw in the bottom of the tent, a
splendid rig for wrteing try it and see if you dont believe me. Now
Jennie it seems to me that you and Fidealia are troubled with the young
men, or else they are troubled about you, I think Mr. Hempsted has made `
quite an impression on your minds from the manner in which you wrote,
hope thatxmhe disese wont strike in and make you sick. I hope also that
you wont quarrel about Mr Hawkins for if you do I will tell Ed. I wish
you could be her(e) and see us cook once George,Lammie generely cooks
the beef and makes fun generely, while some one else makes the coffee.
We get our bread ready baked and have butter sugar and sometimes molasses,
Oh! I almost furgot to tell what we had for Thanksgiving, well we had
just got our tent riged and a fire in our new stove when the Capt gave
each tent two cans of oysters for Thanksgiving dinner. we sent to town
and got some crackers cooked the oysters and had a good time installing
our new homes, you bette(r) believe.
Oh! I almost furgot to tell you that Ed, had got to be Ist Corporal, I
_ must close Yours in Faith Hope and Charity, William E. Spencer

 Letter No. GB
Camp Harvey Kenosha Dec lst 1861
Dear Sister Fidealia Your letter of the 24th was received and red with
pleasure, You may be asshured that it always gives me pleasure to receive
a letter from home when I here that the folks ar(e) all well,
4 I wrote a letter to Father last Sunday so I suppose you have herd of
our removal to Kenosha before this. We had quite a time moving I asshure
you, it snowed like vengance the day we started, it is pretty hard to
get up in the morning and take down your house load it on a dray and
then pick up your traps and stand around in the snow for an hour or two.
We got on the cars about nine o'clock but did not start untill eleven
there was 14 passenger cars and about as many frait cars,thare was about
750 men,it took two engines just to hall the men say nothing about the
baggage, and then we got stuck twise at that in snow banks, just after
we started, We eate breakfats in our tents and that was all we had except
some dry bread until we reached Ft. Atkinson, about nine oclock in the
evening,thare the people passed crackers chees and apples through the
cars, that was all we got until we arrived in Kenosha. We got there about
four oclock in the morning and then waited untill nine for breakfast,Ne got
round tents this time l7 men in a tent. We dug down into the ground about
a foot laid a flore this makes u(s) quite comfortable. we have a small
sheet iron stove to cook over our rations ar(e) delt out raw, We take turns
cooking the beef and make the coffee, We have not been paid yet but expect
it tomorrow, four hundred Unaforms have arrived for the first companies, t
we expect ours in a few days, I shall come home about Christmas if we stay
here all winter but if we move I shall come home sooner at anysrate I
shall come home before we go south,if we ever do,I am well at Preasant
so ar(e) the rest of the Appleton boys, give my respects to all enquireing
friends and acept a portion for yourself so no more at present
From William
PS My direction is Go G Ist Reg. Camp Harvey Kenosh(a) Wis.

 Letter No. 7 to Mr. Elihue Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
postmarked Kenosha,wis. Dec. 9, 1861
Camp Harvey Kenosha Dec 7th '6l
Dear Father Your letter of Dec lst was duly received and red with pleasure
I was glad to her that you wer(e) all well. I am well at presant hoping
these lines will find you the same. I received a letter from Cousin Ethen
this week the friends is York state are all well. I also received a letter
from Grand Pa yesterday. I send this to you. You want to know something
about the Ripon mob I suppose, the reason I did not write abput it, the
other time was because I furgot all about it None of Go G had any thing
to do with it The Ripon Star had been printing sourillous items about
the Regiment and was also the cause of our not moveing the first time
that we expected to. this made the buoys mad and they thought they would
help them set type a little while. they turned the tyoe on the floor
broke the forms and that was about all that was done. The news papers
made a grate story about it but the boys did not do half enough under
the sircumstanoes.
The owner of the paper keeps a billiard saloon and wanted the patron-
age of the soldiers. I suppose and tryed to ceep them thare I got my pay
yesterday fr one month $15.00 we get checks on the bank and draw tresurey
notes fr the eaven fives and Wis bills for changes. I have not got my
Unaform yet but expect it in a few days. The Appleton boys,are all well
as usual give my respects to all enquireing driends
Yours trhly,
William E. Spencer

 Letter No. Ba to Miss Fidelia A. Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
postmarked Kenosha, Wis. Dec. 12, 1861
Camp Harvey, Kenosha Dec llth '6l `
DGH? 31SU€F Your welcom(e) letter of Dec 4th was received and read with
pleasure, it found me enjoying good health hoping these lines will find
you the same, I have been quite negligent in answering your letter but
you must excuse me as I am getting so fat and lazy that it is getting
to be a great task for me to do anything except eat.(thare aint I getting
honest) Since writing last we have been overhalling our tent, we dug down
about three feet into the ground or sand rather, set up boards around the
sides five feet high this makes two feet above the ground then banked up
round and set the tent on top of the boards, then we made two tier bunks r
round the sides wide enough for two men in each one. We got some quilts
from the box that was sent from Appleton these with the Government blankets
make a good bed, Tell the Appleton people that Co G is very thankfull for
the quilts I had the pleasure of meeting one of mg old schoolmates in the
person of Jo Eschenbach he and Dan Barns and Sam ard are members of Go I,
Capt Hoyt of Menominee. Jo says that his Father lives in Menominee now,
Jo worked for Brist this summer Louisey Hard married John Ridgway or John
married her I dont know which about two weeks ago. Go G has got part of
their Unaforms I got a jacket and Ed got a pair of pants, the rest are
expected soon, Quite a number of the Reg are sick with the mesels two men ha
have died with them one of Co C died this morning and the other belonged
to Go.H. we had a cook stove given to us yesterday so that we can cook as
well as anybody. Gove my respects to all the folks.
from your brother Hilliam
Letter No. 8b
Camp Harvey,Kenosha Dec. llth 1861
Dear Sister Jennie I have written all the news to Fidetlia so you must
excuse me if I do not write much and also my mistake in living as I am in a
hurry to drill this afternoon.
I am glad that you and Fidelie have stopped quarreling about Mr.Hemsted
but am sorry that you change your affections so often. I fear that the young
men will find you out and the(n) wo be to you. Now Jennie you must be your
best Christian as ever if I come home for I want to see some fun after
comeing so far.
The wether has been very fine for the past few days but some coldve
today, but I must close give my respects to all enquireing friends I
remain as ever Your in Faith Hope and Charity, William

 Letter No. 9 to Mr. Elihue Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
postmarked Kenosha, Wis. Jan. 5, l862
Camp Harvey,Kenosha Jan. 5rd 1862
Dear Father. I take this oportunity to inform you of my safe arival in
camp and of my presant helth Mr. Older and myself wer(e) all that started
fro¤1Appleton that morning Newton,Sampson, and Colman joyned us at Fon du
Lac they with two or three strangers to you wer(e) all that came back with us
I looked with all the eyes I had at Ritchfield to see William Coats but
failed in the attempt tell Fidelia. We were) an hour behind time at Milwaukee
and wer(e) left by the regular train going south, and had to go on the
accomadation train which consisted of fourteen frait and five passenger
cars, they moved as slow as an ox team exceot when they switched off on side
tracks and waited for ther trains and ther(e) they did not move at all.
we got into camp about dark found things all strait as usual. I wa(s)
taken sick newyears eave with pain in my bowels, I had gon(e) to watch
meeting Elder Sampson, preached the first sermon, but I was not able to
stay through the eavening, I went back to camp was sick all night in the
morning Mr Price dockterd me up so that I felt some better, when the
Dockter came round in the morning he order me to the hospital I wa(s) not
very sick thare but guite sore,I had good care while thare but they made
me stay longer than I wanted to and help wait on the sick, this accounts
for my not writing sooner as I have just got back to the tent this morning.
Now Ma dont feel concerned about me because I have been sick as I am all
right now. I wish you all a happy New Year if it is late in the day, but
it,is said better late than never.
The old snow has nearly all gon(e) off except (s)come drifts but it
is snowing and blowing again today like vengance.
Darwin G. Fenno has gone back to Appleton recruiting for Co L Capt
Blake this is tue teachers and students Company that is getting up in
Kenosha.
I have no news to write only that we shal(l) not get our pay until the
l5th just as I expected when I left home, also that no more clothing has
come yet and nobody knows when they will.
Give my respects to all enquireing friends write soon and believe me
as ever
Your son William E. Spencer

 Letter No. lO to Miss F.A.Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
postmark illegible
This letter is written on stationery of the First Wisconsin Cavalry Reg
Camp Harvey, Jan. llth, l862
Kenosha, Wssconsin
Dear Sister Your letter of the Sth came duly at hand it found me in the
enjoyment of useual helth I am in good health hoping these lines will find
you and the rest of the folks the same.
Things move along in camp after the old sort. we got our sabres last week
they are a fine artical, The belt has a strap to go over the sholders so
that them ornamental bunches behind are of no account whatever.
We have to ware our sabres in all the drill in fact most of the time
acording to orders. I wish that you could be her(e) at dress parade some
night afternoon to see us go through sabre exorsise I tell you a thousand
sabres glissening mn the sun is quite a martial sight. We expect to get
the rest of our unaforms tomorow as they wer(e) in Madison the first of
the week for inspe(c)tion and Lieut Shipman is thar to send them on as
soon as possible.
We have got our Lieut Colonal at last Dr. Lewis who was surgeon in
the second regiment and was taken prisoner at the battle of Bull Run and
taken to Ritchmond by the sesesh he is said to be a good man for the position
but time will tell. We have also got our third major William Torey of
Green Bay. Ed is well acquainted with him he says that he is a fine fellow.
Thare is some rumers of our going to Ft Levenworth in Kansas but noth-
ing speshal that can be relied upon if anything definite turns up about it
I shall try and keep you informed in the matter as soon as I hear myself
I had the pleasure of seeing General Tomb Thumb the other awening he was
quite a sight and he sang and danced to the merment of all. I shook hands
with him, and saw the presents that the crowned heads of Europ(e) gave
him when Barnum took him thare. Phillip Pond is in camp and is getting tuff
’ again. The weather is cold and windy today we had Regimental drill this
forenoon and liked to frise up but the officers I guess had it as hard
as we did so let them g(o) a`ong we can stand it as long they can. We ex-
pect the rhino the l5th just as I expected when I left home alwaysbehind
time with the money.
Tell Jennie to pay up old scoars and I will try to ceep my end good in
future. The Appleton buoys as(e) all right Dannie is contented when he gets
all the beef he wants.
Tell Flora and Huldah that I take great comfort looking at them but I
close as dinner is ready so good by friends and accept a portion for the
Company
Yours truly
William E. Spencer
Scrawling at end of letter
Encamped at Kenosha
Hurrah for Dinner
high privit in the rear sank in Camp Harvey, Wisconsin
Colonol Edward Danils quite comfortably situated
Regiment of Cavalry

 Letter No. ll Cover to Van Vlissingen
Camp Harvey, Jan. 16, 1862
Kenosha, Wis.
Dear Sister Your letter of the 14th was received today it found me in
the enjoyment of good health hoping these lines will find you the same.
The weather is quite cold here but not very sever(e) today. Monday
was very cold the coldest there has been I belive)ve. at any rate it was ·
so cold that the Officers thought it to(o) cold to drill, when it comes
to that we call it pretty cold here. we manage to keep quite comfortable
in the tents, so far and if it dont get much wors(e) I guess we can
stand it. Tell Ma not to worry about my freezing. Thare is about three
inches of snow here it fell night before last, cutters are running quite
glib today, around camp this seems to be the senter of attraction for
oleasure parties about here, espeshaly in the afternoon as we have Regi-
mental drill at that time,I wish you could see us all moveing at once
we will reach from woodwards to the National four abreast what do you
think of that.
I and the rest of the Co got our full Unaforms last sundy. You may think
it strange that we got then sunday we wer(e) on guard and the Quarter
Master thought it no harm to give needy men clothing if it was on Sunday
what do you think(:Ha: Dar Fenno has got back to camp as Go L he expects
a first sargancy in the Co
lf they sucseed in filling up which I (t)hink they will so you see
I have lost my bead-felow. I dont hear any more of our going south which
I snoke of in my last letter but I must close as I have no more news to
write. Tell the folks that I am well, give all enquireing friends my re-
spects write often and tell Pa tr do the same
Yours truly, William

 Letter No.l2 to Miss Fidelia A. Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
postmarked Kenosha,Wis. Jan, 29, 1862
Camp Harvey dan. 28, 1862
Kenosha, Wis.
Dear Sister Your letter of the 19th was duly received and read with
much pleasure I had a hard cold at the time of receiving your letter
but I am quiteewell at present hoping these lines will find you in the
enjoyment of the same.
I received a letter from Father the other day. tell him that I have not
seen Major Pomeroy yet as he is sick or unwell and has not been on the
grounds since he returned from Appleton.
We have not been payed yet and I dont hear any thing about when we
shall get it. I spoke in Kirtlands letter about Major Lagranges going to
Chicago to see Gen'l. Laine about our going in his division. He told the
Genl about our sircumstances and that we wanted to go with him. Genl Lane
telegraphed to Washington to have us appointed to his command but received
no reply then Golonal Danils went down to wait for an answer but failed
to get one and has gon(e) to Washington to see what he can do about our
going to Kansas. Wehave not herd from him but expect to soon.
It was very stormy yesterday it snowed and blowed till night then it
rained all night and this morning till nine o'clock, the rain was so sold
that it did not thaw the snow mutch it frose as fast as it came I have
nothing mor(e) of importance to write give my respects to all enquireing
friends and accept a portion for yourself .
, Yours truly, William
Camp Harvey Kenosha
Jan. 28th 1862
Dear Sister Huldah As you was so kind as to write to me, I suppose you will
expect that I must write espeshaly to you. I think you must have had a
I nice time at the supper,I should have like to have been thare to have some f.
fun with the girls. what are you going to do about going to school as the
girls have broke up keeping shop I suppose Before this time,What kind
of a time did they have at Mr Fishes that they expected the other night.
Write soon or when Fidelia does Tell Flora to be a good girl
From your brother.
William

 Letter No. 15 to Mr. Elihue Spencer, Appleton,wis.
postmarked Kenosha, Wis. Feb. 5, 1862
First Wisconsin Cavalry Reg.,
Company G
Camp Harvey, Feb. 4th l86(2)
Kenosha, Wis.
Dear Father Your letter of January 28th was duly received and read with
pleasure. It found me in the enjoyment of tolerable good health. I am in A
good health at present hoping these lines will (find) you and all the folks
the same.
I received a letter from Kirtland the other day. I think you must
have had a great time with the rats.
The regiment is getting alond after the old sort nothing of speshal
nature has been heard from Col Danils since he went to washington. We are
expecting him back or a word every day when he comes we shall probably
know what will become of us. Ne are getting quite impashent to here what
is a going to be dome with us. There is some talk of turning us into an
infantry Regiment if we fail of going in the Cavalry but we shall know when
the Col gets back. Thare is I2 organized Companies on the ground all of
them nearly full, The company that Darwin Fenno went into is nearly full.
Dar is orderly Sargent. The Unaforms have all come except a few overooats,
all we want now is 900 horses and revolvers to be ready for serviee.
Think yhat you had better stay at this winter for if you come to
Menominee I could not get a furlough to come up and see you.
The weather is pretty cold at present sunday morning was as cold as
thare has been this winter. Major Seagrang puts us through in drill no
matter how cold it is. I was on guard yesterday and dont have to drill
this forenoon. when it is so cold they take off the guards after tatoo
or nine in the eavening and put them on again at five in the morning, so
that we can sleep all night.
We dont heare anything about pay nowdays and dont know when we shall
get it, A good many of the boys in our Co are sick with cold and rheumatism.
Ed Newton is so horse that he cannot speek loud we have a good deal of
fun withlhim about its being so still since he has stoped talking loud
he sends his respects to the folks. I received a letter from Wm Coats the
other day his folks was all well at the time I received a letter from
walker the other day thell him that I will answer it when I find something
to write about. .
I have written all of the news of importance, give my respects to all
enquireing friends and belive me as ever, Your Bone,
William E. Spencer

 Letter No. 14 to Mr. Elihue Spencer, Appleton,Wis.
postmark not legible but date is 21
Camp Harvey,
Kenosha Feb. 20th ‘B2
Dear Father
Your letter of Feb l5th was duly received and read with
_ pleasure. It found me in the enjoyment of good health. I am in the
enjoyment of good health at present hoping you and the rest of the
folks are the same. I niver felt better than I do now nor weighed
any more.
You spoke about our exorcising patience and forbearance to endure
camp life under presant sircumstances, as to that it is getting to be
A second nature to most of us. The weather has been very cold for a
week back, last Friday and Saturday wer(e) so cold that we did not
drill Monday it rained, but soon frose again. Yesterday it snowed and
blowed all day. Thare is no news from the Col. about what is to be done
with us and I dou(b)t that he can find out, or he would let us know
something about our future prospects The news from the south are of the
right kind now a days it makes us feel a good deal better and I hope they
wi