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.

Letter addressed to Father

Vermillionville, La., Oct. 16, 1863

A mail will go out in a few minutes and I have only time to say a word. I wrote my last letter from here, we may stay here several days yet, maybe a week or more. It is rumored the 19th Army Corps ahead of us are skirmishing, can hear their cannonading, don't think we will be needed. Have an idea our corps will not have much fighting this trip to do - the 19th will do it.

You can not send me any clothes while we are way down here. I have plenty of socks, four pairs: -- I captured three new pair of home made socks at Champion Hills and have the pair Mother sent me by Lieut. Corn. I need a vest, the one Corn brought is worn out, will likely buy one here. You need not try to send me any thing of the sort while I stay in Louisiana. Persons coming from there here frequently have to lay over so much on the way, they don't like to have extra baggage with them -- to much chance of losing it.

I must tell you how we soldiers do our voting. All the Ohio regiments went strong - very strong for Brough. I will give you the vote of the 16th in full. It is as follows: --

Company           
   A.	Brough	  7	Vallandingham	 9	Total vote	 16
   B.	 "	 16	 "		 4	 "		 20
   C.	 "	 23	 "		 1	 "		 24
   D.	 "	 18	 "		 1	 "		 19
   E.	 "	  8	 "		 6	 "		 14
   F.	 "	 12	 "		 0	 "		 12
   G.	 "	 22	 "		 0	 "		 22
   H.	 "	 19	 "		 0	 "		 19
   I.	 "	 17	 "		 2	 "		 19
   K.	 "	 15	 "		 0	 "		 15
Totals	Brough	157	 "		23	 "		180

This makes a majority of 134 for Brough in the 16th Ohio. The 114th gave Vallandingham 21 votes, the 42nd gave him only 6 and the 120th gave Valandingham more votes I don't know the number.

I am going to send your last letter home in this as I can't carry it and don't want to tear it up. I am well. I guess I have nothing else to write just now. Give my love to all.