Soldier's Letter, Civil War - November 1861

 Oxford Times, November 20, 1861

Letter from Smith R. Wheeler & James F. Parsons, 2d Reg. of Illinois Cavalry

Mr. Editor:  At a time when so much is said and written upon the subject of the war for the Union and the protection of our liberties, and when so many letters are published coming from the war, I think we ought to find room for one letter from the soldier boys, and I will offer this one, real boys' letter, received a few days ago.

Cairo, Ill., Nov. 1st, 1861

Mr. E.A. Bundy, and other friends in Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]: After leaving Oxford for the West a year or two ago, we traveled a great ways over the country, and when the war come on, we enlisted into the army, with a great many more in Illinois, and so here we are, hard at work for uncle Sam, in good health, and anxious to be doing something for the Union.  We belong to the Cavalry, and besides carrying swords, we carry "hollow irons," as Cadish used to call them, and if we could get a chance could kill a secessionist a great ways with them as much deader than a smoked herring, as that is deader than a live weasel as you used to tell about. We have to drill a great deal, and go on picket guard, rain or shine, and have been scouting once down in Missouri. We did not come across any "cheap made" secessionists there, but if we had we shouldn't made the many better than they were before, as Cadish did the cheap made Dutchman up in Oxford, when he cut him half-in-two with Dr. Sands and Dr. Wagner to help him.  It is a queer country down in Missouri. We have not got our pay yet, and so did not have the "spondulix" as Nicholas Sharp, used to call it, to pay for some things our company brought back to camp with them. They did not steal the things, but if anybody happens to touch any such thing as chickens, roast pigs, butter, &c., they all stick to their fingers, so it is impossible to get them off till they get back to camp again.  Don't you think it is a strange country there?

It is going to take a great many men to conquer the South and make them behave again, and won't more of the men from the North come down and help, for it must be done. If you would come down yourself "in your own shoes," we think there would not be many dry eyes when you get here. We have good times so far, and like camp life well, but should like some of that good milk punch we used to have when we worked for you in haying time, and should like to see your neighbors, Bradford and Captain Gifford, and all the rest.  Please remember us to all our friends.

Smith R Wheeler, James F. Parsons, 2d Rev. of Illinois Cavalry