CIVIL WAR SOLDIER LETTER -
Co. D, 115th Illinois Infantry.This Civil War soldier letter was written by George Washington Tyson (1831-1864) who served in Co. D, 115th Illinois Infantry.
George W. Tyson was the son of Henry Tyson (1806-1887) and Sarah E. Berry (1800-1863) of Schuyler county, Illinois. He was married in 1852 to Sarah Jane Hackworth (1832-1906) and had four children when he enlisted. He wrote his 1862 letter to his younger brother, Zephaniah Tyson (1842-1924).
George did not survive the war. He was wounded and died at Resaca, Georgia, on 21 May 1864.
NOTE - The image below is not being offered in this auction - just the letter transcribed below.
TRANSCRIPTION
Shell Mound Station, Tennessee
December 29, 1863
Dear Brothers,
It is through the goodness of our Heavenly parent that I am permitted to write you a few lines in answer to your kind letter of the 16th of this inst. which came to hand the 27th. Your kind letter found me in good health. I do hope that these few lines may find you all well. Our company is in good health. There is not a man sick in our company. There is only three men sick in the regiment. I think that is good for the army.
We have had two days of rainy weather but it has cleared off warm again. We have had no cold weather yet nor no snow. We have had a nice winter so far. We still remain in our old camp. Hope we will stay here all winter for we will see a good time while we are here. We have plenty to eat and wear all the time.
Dear brothers, I recon you have heard of the sad news of our beloved Captain’s death. 1 He died the 9th of this inst. at Nashville. We all thought that he was at home with his friends. Little did we think that we would hear of his death. But alas! how soon death may come when we least think of it. How many of our dear friends that was with us last New Years that has been called to try the realities of an unknown world to us. Little did we think one year ago that so many of our dear friends would be called from us. Does not it stand us in hand to be prepared to meet death at any time. Little do we know how soon we will be called for and then we will have to go prepared or unprepared. What will be our lot if we are called to die? Are we prepared to meet our God in peace? How is it with you, dear brothers? Let us look at these things as we ought to. We know life is short—death is certain. We all have to die sooner or later. We may be called for in a short time. We can’t tell how soon. These things we know not of till they come. Oh! let us look at these things as we will wish we had when we come to die. I hope to meet my friends in heaven where parting is no more. How is it with you? I hope you will look at these things and see if it would not be well for you to quit your wickedness and try to make your peace with God. I will leave it with you.
So in conclusion, I wish you health and happiness and a good time. This leaves all well. Hope it will find you all well. Good night to all.
Your brother until death, — G. W. Tyson
To McDowell and Zephania [Tyson]
Write soon if you please.
I forgot to tell you that I would send you a finger ring in the next letter. I will write you again in a week or two. We had a very rainy night last night and it is beginning to rain today. I think we will have a dull New Years this time. I hope we will be at home by the next New Year that comes around.
Andrew Bridgewater will start home today on a 20-days furlough. He can tell you all the news. So I will close by asking you to write soon. Yours as ever. — Geo. W. Tyson
Goodbye to all. Write soon if you please.
1 Capt. Stephen M. Huckstep (1831-1863) of Bainbridge, Schuyler county, Illinois, died on 9 December 1863 of the wounds he received during the Battle of Chickamauga.