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, but apparently staying with family or friends in Nashville, Ohio, about 10 miles from Millersburg. The letter was written from the Union encampment at Cumberland Gap, shortly after it had been taken from the Confederates and occupied.

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.

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July 13, 1862 Cumberland Gap Dear wife I take this opertunity to write you a few lines again. I stated in my last the addition of my health. I am better at present than when I last wrote to you. Lieut. Liggett is going home and I thought I would send a few lines with him to you. I hope that you have not been fretting about me. I send with Liggett $5 and I wish you would	send me fifty cents worth of stamps and use the rest at your pleasure. if you have any little thing to send me Liggett will fetch it with pleasure. I have falen away considerable but I am still in good heart. I shall write soon again. I wish you to write often to me. give my respects to all in quiring friends. I remain your affectionate husband. John McCleland Rachel I send you my miniture with Liggett. it was a cloudy day and I was not well when I got it taking and it did not take very well Note; It can be assumed that Lieut. Liggett is Lieutenant Robert W Liggett of McClelland's Company B. Liggett was promoted to Captain on August 6, a few weeks after this letter was written. Liggett was from and eventually buried in Nashville, Ohio.
This is the original envelope which contained the above letter sent by John McClelland to his wife, Rachel:
Cumberland Gap Mrs Rachel McClelland Nashville Holmes Co Ohio In Care of Wm. Fleming