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Dear Dad,                                                                                    July 17,1863

This is your daughter, Jamelia. I’m writing to you to tell you how rough and overwhelming it is to be a solider. I miss you and my sister, I miss the food that mom cooks. If you could can, could you please send me a container of rice please. In this letter I would like to tell you about the battle that I am currently in, the living conditions of the war, and

the activities that I participate in.

First, I would like to tell you about the battle. The battle that I am currently in is called Falling Waters. It is taking place in Williamsport Maryland. And I’m a Union

solider, my general for this specific battle is George G. Meade. So far, there has been 1,760 total estimated casualties. The result was Inconclusive, meaning that no one really won.

Secondly, I would like to talk to you about the living conditions. I have a “roommate,” my friend Jane. She’s a nurse although, I am a solider. We share a tent, yes we do have to sleep in tents. It’s very cold, uncomfortable, and a little gross to. I’m a Union solider so my uniform color is Blue. It’s not the best but it’s serviceable. Our uniforms don’t look the same at all from when we started to end. They are either torn, ragged, dirty, or sometimes covered in some blood. We ate meat which I don’t really have a problem with because I like meat, but it‘s not the best. We also sometimes eat pork or beef. We also ate hardtack, it’s basically bread. It’s three inches long and a half inch thick. We would soften the hardtack by soaking it up in water or coffee so that we can bite into it. Most people wouldn’t die from war or battle. They would die from diseases. If one person got sick and needed a shot they can get their shot and be better, but if someone else got sick and they needed a shot they had to use the same one and it wasn’t even cleaned. The sickness from that person got put into the other person witch made them more sick. Plus Diarrhea was also a big killer.

Lastly, in my spare time I like to write letters like this. We do a lot of drill practice for battle. It’s a bit tiring but I’m already used to it. We also play cards. I know your probably like “ Since when do you play cards” but it’s really fun. I know how to play GoFish, 7-Up, Cheat, Crazy Eights, Gin Rummy, Split, FreeCell, Poker, and Old Maid

In conclusion, I know that your a little mad that I left home to do what I’m doing, I miss you, sister, mom, grandma, and grandpa. I love you, and tell the rest of the family I love them to. I miss you. Plus can you send me a container of rice too please and thank you!

Your loving daughter Jamelia

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July 1st, 1863

Dear dad,

This is your only son, Aidan. It’s pretty boring here in war. Mainly, I just play chess. I’m writing to tell you about the battle, activities, and the living conditions.

The battle I’m fighting in is at Gettysburg. People refer it to as the Battle of Gettysburg. Many deaths have occurred here and as many as 3,155 deaths. As a Union soldier, my leader is George M. Meade. There have been 5,365 people who have been missing or they were captured. Im pretty sure that the Union will be victorious due to the lack of pushing the Confederacy is doing.

The living conditions here are disgusting. Not comfortable at all like your apartment. The clothing is all ripped up and ragged, but now my nice blue uniform looks brown. Not to mention I sleep in a cramped tent with other soldiers. The food is okay, but not great.

I mainly get corn mush, coffee, and crackers. I sure do miss your chicken and dumplings. There are so many diseases diseases I’m praying I don’t get ill. I don’t do many activities in war. I mainly play chess. The one thing that bugs me is how many drill practices we have to do.

I just like writing to you and playing chess with my friend. When I want to read, I get my backpack out and take out an old newspaper. I carry many things in my pack back including a chess board and pieces, my meals in containers, my musket, and bandages. After reading this letter, I hope you’re now all caught up in my story. Thanks for reading about my battle, living conditions, and activities. See you soon!

Signed,

Aidan

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July 4th 1863

Dear Mom,

How are you doing this is your son BRADLEY it’s very boring I’m writing to you about in lies letter, I would to inform you of the battle that I am currently fighting in, the living conditions here at war and the activities that I participate in while I am not in the battle.

The battle that I’m currently fighting in is called the Civil War. It is taking place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. As a union soldier, my general for this specific battle is George g. Meade. So far, there has been 23,049 deaths and 5,365 soldiers reported missing. I believe a if my union brothers keep fighting the way that they are, the result of this battle will be a union victory.

The living conditions here on the battlefield are filthy and unlike anything back home. My close are ragged and torn. Not to mention, my blue uniform looks nothing like it did when the battle first being. In Addison’s, my fellow soldiers and I must share a canvas ten and when it rains, the water pours right on Through the holes. The food is nothing spectacular. I often only get to eat that much because we are always not to mention. I sure do miss you so much. There is so much sicknesses.

I participate in several activities outside of fighting in the battle. My fellow soldiers and I are often at drill practice. We need this practice in order to be the best soldiers that we can be and win against the confederates.

I know in your last tester to me you said that you were proud of me for making a different for the future of this country. I truly hope that this war changes the lives of future generation for the good. I hope to hear again from you soon by love you.

Sincerely,

Bradley

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July 13,1863

Dear Mom,

This is your son Christian fighting in the war ,and the war is so boring. In this letter I would like to talk to you about battle. Hope you’re having a great time at home. I’m currently fighting in the living conditions of the Civil War, and the activities that I participate in my time out of the battle.

We are currently in the Battle of Gettysburg of the Civil War. We are fighting in Pennsylvania and, I’m on the Union side. At the end of the war my my team won! Also my commander is George E. Meade, but unfortunately 23,049 casualties of the Union and the confederacy had 28,063 casualties, but in all the  Battle of Gettysburg but in all 51,112.

Here are the Union and the Confederacy living conditions.During the war we ate Ale Cornmeal, bread, molasses, coffee, salt pork, bacon, beef, and more. We lived in a log cabin, but without any windows. Union had blue clothing and Confederacy had brown clothing. We both had ragged shirts, jeans, boots, and hats. During the when they were fighting there was really bad disease that made people very sick.

In there free time they did fun activities, and here are some of the things that they did in there free time. You can write a letter to homestead if you want. Also in your free time you can practice fighting in the war. You can also play with your friends in the war playing cards. And finally you can see or do drama or plays to keep you entertained.

Being a Union soldier is harder than I thought. I hope you are having a great time with dad, John, and Angelina. I have nothing more for my paper is scarce write soon your loving   son. I hope you enjoy life over there BYE!

Sincerely,

Christian Park

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October 15,1863

Dear Amelia,

How are you? I heard you got hurt during the last battle we where in. I’m sorry that we were separated. I miss you. I hope all is well. In this letter I would like to talk about the battle fought in, my living conditions and the activities I participated in the time at battle.

The battle I fought in happened yesterday. I feel like you already know this because it had been in the paper. I believe that we are calling the battle Bristoe Station. It was my first time going to Centerville, Virginia. It was soo beautiful. After countless days we won. Those days felt like years. When I first joined, I had no idea that so many people brutally die right in front of my eyes. It was estimated that over 25,601. The commander of this battle was Governor. K. Warren. He’s ok I guess.

The living conditions of the battle was dirty. I slept in a crowded tent with many other soldiers. I ate hardtack, bacon and rice. I drank coffee most of the time, to keep me awake. I am still wearing my uniform from that battle. We’re still waiting for are commander to find a lake for us so we can wash up. My uniform is all torn up and raged.

I participated in the activity of writing letters to home, drills, plays and playing cards. Man those card games are fun. We practice are drills at least 5 times a day. At least it was worth it. The plays are very fun. We get to tease the others afterwards because some of the parts are funny.

Anyway, I hope that your recovery is smooth and that your injuries was nothing permanent. Whenever you get the chance write back. I hope by the time the next battle comes around you will be ready. Hopefully we will meet again. Be safe.

Sincerely, your best mate,
Kaylee Sechler

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January 5, 1863

Dear Mom,

I am so glad that I am finally getting the chance to sit down and write this letter to you. I have been quite busy here at war. There is so much death, disease, and sadness here. I sure do miss you and the family. I hope to be coming back home soon. In this letter, I would like to inform you of the battle that I am currently fighting in, the living conditions here at war, and the activities that I participate in while I am not in the battle.
The battle that I am currently fighting in is called _______________. It is taking place in _______, _______.  As a ____________ soldier, my general for this specific battle is ______________________. So far, there has been ____________deaths and ____________ soldiers reported missing. I believe that if my Union  brothers keep fighting the way that they are, the result of this battle will be a _____________ victory.

The living conditions here on the battlefield are filthy and unlike anything back home. My clothes are ragged and torn. Not to mention, my blue uniform looks nothing like it did when the battle first began. In addition, my fellow soldiers and I must share a canvas tent and when it rains, the water pours right on through the holes. The food is nothing spectacular. I often only get to eat _____, _______, and ________. I sure do miss your beef stew. There is so much sickness here at war. Not to mention, disease is spreading quickly.

I participate in several activities outside of fighting in the battle. My fellow soldiers and I are often at drill practice. We need this practice in order to be the best soldiers that we can be and win against the Confederates. When we are not physically training for battle, I like to write letters home to you as well as read newspapers from back home and play card games.

After reading this letter, I hope that you are more informed of the battle that I have fought in, the living conditions here at war, and the activities that I participate in during my time out battle. I am hopeful that the Civil War will end soon so I won’t have to be away from home anymore. I am beginning to get rather homesick and don’t know how much longer I can take seeing my fellow soldiers be in pain and risk there lives fighting for this war. I know in your last letter to me you said that you were proud of me for making a difference for the future of this country. I truly hope that this war changes the lives of future generations for the good. I hope to hear again from you soon.

Sincerely,

Jessica