eBay

Condition as seen.

Freeport, Ill

Feb. 21st, 1862

Friend Will,

I received your most welcome letter in new season, and was very happy to hear from you. I began to think you were never going to write again, and as I did not know where to direct, I did not think it would be of any use to write. Addie told me you had been sick with the measles and confined in the hospital. I am very sorry for I know that must be unpleasant. Will Smallwood has just recovered from the measles. He broke out with them in school. Charles has returned home looks very much broken down. He has received his discharge. Don’t you wish you had. We have had a very open winter, have had considerable rain, but no snow to speak of. I don’t know what Maggie would have done. I am sure if we had had as much snow as usual, she says as it is, she has been out there and sometimes for ___ of the week, attending and spelling schools sociables in the lake. Her school is out next week. They are holding protracted meetings at the white school house, and there is a good deal of interest manifested. I trust it will result in great good. I have not decided yet to take my old school again this summer or not. I think two summers in one place is about long enough. John Smallwood has spoken to me twice and says they will not engage another teacher until I give them an answer. The Aid Society has done a great deal for the soldiers this winter. There was one week that they worked every day of the week with the exception of Sunday. Sent off eight boxes that week. Also made 30 beds. I suppose you begin to feel the effects of such kind of labor done by the ladies of Ill. and other northern states. I do hope this war will soon end. God only knows, though what trials we are yet to pass, before we shall be purified as a nation. God has said that righteousness ____ a nation, while sin is a reproach to any people. From my part, I am willing to look to him in faith, believing that. “Behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face and in his good time will deliver us out of all our troubles.” I hope that, although you are denied the privilege of attending these meetings with your young friends, you will not forget that God is a hearer of prayer and if you will but seek him with your whole heart, he will be found of you. “I love them, loves me and they seek me early shall find me”. Oh, the blessedness of having Jesus as your friend who has laid down his life to save your precious soul from death. I hope you will ponder these things and give yourself no sest until you have found him who is the chiefest among ten thousand and the one all together lovely. You will see my sheet is about full and must close. When Maggie school is out, I expect to go back with to Wisconsin to make a visit before my school commences. My throat I hope is getting slowly better. Write soon a good long letter.

I remain your good friend,

Lizzie

William F. Withey

Residence Harlem IL;

Enlisted on 8/11/1862 as a Private.

On 9/4/1862 he mustered into "A" Co. IL 92nd Infantry

He was discharged for disability on 2/23/1863

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men