McClelland Letters

Web Author's Notes:
Images of the following letter were provided by Bob and Judi Hill. They were found in a box of papers owned by Judi's mother. The letter is from Judi's ancestor, John F McClelland, a private in Company B of the 16th OVI, to his wife, Rachel Lockhart of Millersburg, Ohio. The letter was written from an encampment on the Cumberland River, just west of the Cumberland Gap, where the 16th OVI, along with other Union forces, were staged, ready to assault and take The Gap.

Additional history tells us the letter's author, sadly, was later captured during subsequent action at Cumberland Gap and died of disease on September 20, 1862, probably as a Confederate prisoner.

Below the images of the letter is my attempt at transcription to the best of my ability.

Thanks to Bob and Judi Hill for sharing these precious artifacts from the colorful and poignant history of the 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the American Civil War.

Please note the contrast of the letter images has been enhanced to make them more readable. Spelling is transcribed as near as possible to match the original author's and end of sentence periods were added, when necessary, to make reading easier.

page 1	page 2
Cumberland Ford, Ky May 4, 1862 Dear wife I seat my self this evening to wright you a few lines. I am well at present. I wish you were here to see William Bigham and I living in our new palace. the Colonel has given us a large sibly tent all to ourselves and you had better think we have some droll times. I must tell you something about our bed. we drove four forks in the ground and then put a cross pols and then pitched in to a flower barl and converted the staves into a bead so as by	placing them across the poles. these kind of [roofs?] are hardly ever bothered with bed-bugs for they never stay long enough in one place. When the General wants me he has a silver whistle which he blowes and then you had think old John jumps. I have received two packages of paper from Cedarrapids which will last me a long time yet. Well I suppose you would like to know something about the eatables. I am faring better now than I did. The General has three colored boys kooking for him and and they are about as fond of an abolitionist as I am of something to eat. I must tell you something about Thomas Johnson. he is highly offended at me. he wrote a letter to J Martin
page 1	page 2
telling him that Hiram Young had left McClelands [post?] and that his father was [fee??ing] the widow [???] McCleland. I thought he was a little to fast calling you a widow before he knew it was so. he said I had better [????] and [??] farewell licture to the children. So I'l stop wrighting about him. the jentleman that inquired about Jane was Lieut. W. R. Ross bulley for him. I want you and Jane wright often for they are the only letters which I can read. We had a beautiful brigade drill today. It was one of the best sights that ever I saw. there were four Rejiments of infantry and one battery of six guns on the ground. they were all under the	command of General John F Deouasy [DeCoursey]. I do not think there performance can be beat by any other brigade now in serfice. I must close for it is getting late. pleas excuse the miserable scribbling. Wright soon. I remain your true husband John McCleland
This is the original envelope which contained the above letter sent by John McClelland to his wife, Rachel:
Flat Lick my 19 Mrs Rachel McCleland Millersburgh Holmes Co Ohio