This letter was written by Mr. Ross to his wife, who lived in Henderson Co., TN. Dugal W. Ross served during the Civil War as a private in the Union Army, Company K, 7th Cavalry, Regiment of West Tennessee. He was mustered in on 27 Jun 1863 in Grand Junction, Henderson Co., TN and discharged as unfit for duty on 11 Jul 1864. On 7 March 1864 Dugal was in the USA General Hospital in Paducah, KY and on 20 June 1864 he was transferred to USA Hospital
at Jefferson Barracks, MO with chronic pneumonia.
Daniel R. Lanter, dlanter@camalott.com
Todd Barracks, Columbus, Ohio June 1st. A.D. 1865 Affectionate wife and children: I am this day favored with an opportunity of writing to you once more to inform you that I am not well, though I am as well as I have been for a long time. I am up and about but don't do any duty nor haven't done any in a good while. I hope that these few lines may come safely to your hands and find you and family all well. I have not heard from you in twelve months. I have seen a heap of trouble about you all and particular about Moses and John for fear the Rebels had conscripted hem but I hope to reach home before long and to find you all these and well with something to eat and wear. Penny, I have seen more trouble for the last two years than I every saw in my life before. I have been to St. Louis, Mo., Illinois, Ohio, Maryland., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, round Lake Erie, New York, Connecticut, New Haven Harbor and at Washington and Harpers' Ferry, Indiana and a number of cities too tedious to mention. But I hope the time is not far distant when I will get out of this and be permitted to come home. Penny, I want you to keep up your courage and hope for the beter and not for the worst. So try to be brave and pass off the time the best you can for I think the time will not be long before time to come when I can set at my own table with my dear wife and children around it once more. I feel like it would be more satisfaction to me to be permitted to sit under my own roof with my wife and little children around me than anything on earth. So Penny, you and the children do the best you can and try to make something to eat. I am sorry I can't send you the money but it is just as it is and I can't help it, so keep your spirit up and bear your troubles with all the patience you can. If you get this letter I want you to write soon and direct your letter to Todd Barracks, Columbus, Ohio, Co. F., 22nd Regiment, V. R. C. So I will close by saying be of good faith. I remain your ever loving husband and father until death, so farewell to you all. From Duggle W. Ross to Penelope A. Ross.