Item No. 8447810

A revealing letter from Wellwood Gillespie of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, written from Lynchburg, Virginia, on July 27, 1865, as the regiment prepared to return home at the expiration of their enlistments. Writing to Emma Smith, whom he would soon marry, he writes, “We expect to leave here in the morning for home. We shall go from here to Richmond, there turn in our horses &c., thence to Harrisburg via of Fortress Monroe & Washington.” He planned to “remain about one week” at home, then travel to see her in Pine Creek.

Even though the war was over, men were still dying, as Gillespie relates in an awful incident that occurred after his regiment had merged with the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry:

Last night, two of our boys were shot. It appears that one of the 16th Pa. Cavalry had a fight with two of our boys, and the one of the 16th shot the other two. One died in a short time & the other cannot live throughout the day. Thus two young men, who have risked their lives for 4 long years in defense of their Country, had to be murdered by our own man, just as we were about ready to return home. If it had of been my fate, I would rather of died on the field of battle.

Gillespie then describes how an old friend, likely William N. Monies formerly of the 136th Pennsylvania, paid him a visit:

My old friend Capt. Monies, that you have often heard me speak of, was here the other day to see me. He had business in Richmond and come 180 miles out of his way to see me. He made me promise on my return from the Army to come home before going elsewhere, so of course I shall make my promise good. Go home for a few days, then make my visit afterwards.

Gillespie grew up in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and had previously served with Battery G, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, enlisting in 1861 as a corporal and ultimately being promoted second lieutenant. An accidental injury resulted in his discharge. However, upon recovering in 1864, he reenlisted as a private in the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He and Emma married after the war, settled in Morris, Pennsylvania, and had at least five children.

The letter was written on four pages of a 5” x 8” letter sheet. Light foxing and toning. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript appears below.

Camp of the 8th Pa. Cavalry.
Lynchburg Va.
July 27th 1865.

Ever Friend Emma,
We expect to leave here in the morning for home. We shall go from here to Richmond, there turn in our horses &c., thence to Harrisburg via of Fortress Monroe & Washington. I am unable to inform you as to the exact time of our discharge, but we think about the 15th of August.

I shall go home from Harrisburg and remain about one week, then come to Pine Creek. I will assure you we are glad to think our term of service is so near out.

Last night, two of our boys were shot. It appears that one of the 16th Pa. Cavalry had a fight with two of our boys, and the one of the 16th shot the other two. One died in a short time & the other cannot live throughout the day. Thus two young men, who have risked their lives for 4 long years in defense of their Country, had to be murdered by our own man, just as we were about ready to return home. If it had of been my fate, I would rather of died on the field of battle.

I have never in all my life suffered so much from heat as I have this summer. Truly it is warm. But Emma, we will soon be in a colder clime than this, I hope.

My old friend Capt. Monies, that you have often heard me speak of, was here the other day to see me. He had business in Richmond and come 180 miles out of his way to see me. He made me promise on my return from the Army to come home before going elsewhere, so of course I shall make my promise good. Go home for a few days, then make my visit afterwards.

Emma, you need not write to me again, for in all probability I would not get the letter. I will write you again from Richmond, and after I get home, so you will kow about the time I will be at your place. Give my ever true regards to all of your folks. Also tell Lizzie that I will either write to her from here or from Richmond. We must have that long promised dance when I come up.

Hoping soon to see you all. I am as ever your true friend.
Wellwood