Letter written by Pvt. Leroy Fuller to his wife, Elizabeth awaiting in Trumbull Co., OH. (note the crudeness in spelling):

Field Hospital Near Maryetta, Georgia, June 23, 1864 Dear Wife: Threw the goodnes of God I am yet sparred while many of my comrads have fallen, to rais no more in this world, and others are suffering with severe wounds. I am truly thankfull that it is as well with me as what it is, tho my helth is not very good at present I have taken a violent Cold which has settled on my lungs. I have very harde paines in my sids and head tho I feel som better than when I left the regement on the 19 of June I think I will be all right in a few days. This makes forty four days of fighting since we started on this campaign. We have lost 170 men from our regment in killed and wounded since we started on this campaign. Our Lieutenant was killed on the 20 by a shel which went threw his brest causing instant death. His name was Cohns*, I think you did not now him. I received your kind and welcom letter on the 19. I am glad you getalong so well. I am sory that the wether is so unfavorable for the farmers. I am glad you have plenty of wheete for Bred is the staf of life we get plenty to eat. You said you had a good garden. I am glad and I think I could enjoy it with you if I wer there but I am here and you are there. I still live in hopes to return to your embrac all right when this was is over. How long it may last I know not but hope it may end soon for it is awful. I see by the Chatanooga Paper that Mr. Simpson is ded, he was a fine man and good Soldier but he has don with this worlds hardships. My sympathy is with his family, for he is a great lost to them. Lib I eat those wintergreens you sent I thou … of the time when we wonderd hand in hand and of the happy hours we have past together. I still look forward with hope. Frankly I want to see you very much. You must learn to read and when I come home I will get you a nice books with pictures in. My best wishes to all the friends and neighbors. Tell Mrs. Williams Lew is not hert yet, tho his helth is not very good, whil I am writing I can hear the roar of musketry and canon that tells that the ravages of war is in motion. Pleas write soon. Direct as usual. I remain as ever your compagnion and true friend, Leroy Fuller.

(* It is speculated that the Lt. Cohns mentioned by Pvt. Fuller might possibly be Freeman Collins, listed as 1st Sgt. in Co. D. The date and manner of his death fits with Pvt. Fuller's description.)

Submitted by: Burt Fuller Denver, Colorado Nov. 1999