This letter was written by Mr. Ross to one of his neighbors who lived in Henderson Co., TN.
This letter leads one to think that Dugal Ross may have served with the Confederacy before joining the Union Army. This possibility is still being researched and is at this point just a theory.
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
Mr. Gawf, Dear Friend:
I take the privilege of writing a few lines to let
you know I have not forgotten you yet nor none of the rest
of my neighbors, I hope to see you all again. I feel that I
could meet you all with the best of feelings. I don't feel
like I had faught against any union neighbor that I have in
the world and if they have anything against me I hope they
will forgive me, but as to "seseah" I have nothing to say and
it is owing to how they conduct themselves whether I will or not.
I don't hear from my old 7th Tennessee Regiment since last
May, 1864. They were at Andersonville, Ga., then but I hope my
neighbors that were in that regiment have gotten home before now.
Mr. Gawf, I was with Thomas W. Gawf before he died. He bore
his sickness very patiently. He had a desire to go home, but
here was no chance. I tried to send him to Union City after
he died but could do nothing. I asked him if he had a hope that
he would be better off after heath and he said he had. He died
in his right mind ! and went off just as though he had gone
to sleep. I must close for I am very weak and trembly. I hope
that these lines may find you and family well. Write soon.
Please take this over to my house and read it to my
wife and children and you will much oblige your friend.
Farewell,
D. W. Ross to Edmond Gawf., Esq.