LT: November 13, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)

SOPO Editor’s Note: Captain Henry F. Young of the 7th Wisconsin wrote twenty letters while at the Siege of Petersburg from June to December 1864. Researcher Roy Gustrowsky transcribed this letter from the original at the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison, Wisconsin.  He is currently in the process of writing a regimental history of the 7th Wisconsin. “Delia” was Henry F. Young’s wife, and “Father” was his Father-in-Law Jared Warner, a prominent businessman of Grant County, Wisconsin. Gustrowsky has magnanimously made these transcriptions available to the Siege of Petersburg Online for publication, and we thank him for his generosity.

UPDATE: I recently learned that a new book has been published by the University of Wisconsin Press, entitled Dear Delia: The Civil War Letters of Captain Henry F. Young, Seventh Wisconsin Infantry, and edited by Micheal Larson and John David Smith. If you want to read all of Henry’s letters throughout the war, purchase the book!

Camp 7th Wis[consin] Vet[eran] Vol[unteer]s
Weldon R[ail]R[oad] Va
Nov 13th  1864

Dear Delia

This morning I received the news of the loss of our darling child it was entirely unexpected as I had received no dispatch and your last letter left me the impression that the dear child was out of danger and after that I gave myself no uneasiness. I had just got her a hat made out of corn husks, I got it yesterday evening and was anticipating how well She would look and what pleasure She would have in Sharing her Rebble gipsey hat. I went to Sleep thinking About it, and when I awoke I found yours and Fathers letter on My table, with the Mournful intelligence that I Should never See My darling More; had I received your telegram I Should have gone home on a leave of absence but now I will remain till I can get Mustered out. Frank Boynton was Mustered 1st Lieut day before yesterday; I will have to remain here till the paymaster comes and pays us off, as there are Some of the Men have unsettled accounts and could not well get them Settled without I was present and our Co have clothing Stored at Alexandria Va which we have Sent for and I have Qr Masters Stores there for which I am responsible that I have Sent for So as to turn them over. All of which I will do as quick as possible So as to get Mustered out & return home to Stay with the loved ones.

I feel verry thankful to our friends & neighbors for their kindness to you through the trying Ordeal you have passed. I feel So greived to think I was not with you to assist you and to See our darling Child once More.

I cant write More at present My love to Jared & May and tell them Papa will soon be home.

Ever Yours
Henry¹

***

Letters of Henry W. Young:

• LT: June 20, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: June 27, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 2, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 15, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 26, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: July 29, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 4, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 6, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: August 23, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 2, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 5, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 15, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 19, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: September 27, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 6, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 13, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 21, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 22, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: October 30, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 5, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 7, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 10, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 13, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 20, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)
• LT: November 23, 1864 Henry F. Young (7th Wisconsin)