Linn Letters

Web Author's Notes:
The following letter of Thomas B. Linn, a drummer in the 16th OVI, was transcribed by contributor John M. Pierson who obtained it from Mary Bavender. The letters were part of a collection of papers from Linn and included a detailed diary. Combined, the letters and diary entries give us an intimate look at the life of a soldier in the 16th OVI during the Civil War.

These letters were all written or received while Linn was a Private in Company B. He was later promoted, on July 1, 1864, to Principal Musician, as a drummer, and transferred to Field & Staff. He survived the war and mustered out with the regiment on October 31, 1864, near Columbus, Ohio.

This letter is addressed to L.S. Research by contributor John Pierson uncovers some confusion. Pvt. Linn married an Elizabeth Shafer in November, 1864, just a few weeks after mustering out of the army. In his letters, Tom used the nickname Lizzie and it is likely most letters addressed to L.S. were to his future wife, Elizabeth Shafer. However, Tom also was acquainted to a Lizzie Shera and may have also written to her. Research continues.

Letter addressed to L.S.

Carrollton, La., Sept. 3, 1863

Your letter of the 16th August has just arrived and fills me with gloom. I can not tell why - but something seems to tell me that something - some bad news is in store for me - what I can not tell. Sickness stalks abroad over the North and something seems to whisper that some dear one will be stricken down. I have not had a letter from home for several days -- the last I heard from there another of my sisters was sick with dysentery. That letter spoke of the deaths of two of my friends and neighbors - a brother and a sister and of two more neighbors by the same disease and of sickness in my Father's family. Then your letter tells me of sickness in your neighborhood and winds up by telling me you too are not well. I will tear open my letter of yesterday and put this in it. We did not start on our trip today as we were ordered and expected to do.