OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - The James Perry Fyffe Letters (Civil War) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darrold Crites DCrites642@aol.com July 16, 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO: Mrs. Willa Fyffe Georgetown, Ohio Columbia Feb 7th 1862 Willa Dear Your ------- for favour of the 31st --- came safe to hand, I wondered why you had delayed writing, I was so sure something unusual had detained it that I sent off a letter to you (by Major Howard, going home on sick leave) without waiting for it. I am sorry to hear of Lesters illiness. You say you have written to me every Sunday nearly since I have been gone, and "often between times". To let you know how many I have received I submit these dates - Dec 11th - 21st - 29th - Jan 6th - 12th - 20th - 23rd - 24th and 31st and last - You will see from this, from our coming to Louisville, Dec 1st up to Jan 20th a period of fifty one days, I had received one letter in every 10 1/2 days - since that period up to the reception of your last 16 days, I have received three letters or one in 5 1/3 days, just about double the number previously received and your last was detained somewhat by the disturbances between here and Lebanon, when Morgan burned the Church and took the Stage Horses, I am much pleased with the manner in which you have responded to my earnest appeal to your affection, to let me hear from you more frequently, you do not know how much satisfaction, and happiness it has afforded me. Your letters except this one sent with the Miniature when you were sick, are longer and more interesting. Capt. Higgins got over six pages today - Dont let Uncle John hurry you next time - If you have to get Aunt May to help lock him up in the Courthouse again until you can finish writing. I got a commercial today from you - You dont say a word about Aunt Minta, how you are getting along, what you put in your time at, do you set there dreaming in our corner of the fire place? Sam Walker is very weak but improving, Jennings has not reaching the turning point in his sickness yet, but he is able to walk to the fire place and set up awhile, he changed places on beds today with Stewart Goff as his was too near the door, he is well taken care of - Abner Jenkings is better, still he is right sick - I am glad you like the Miniature - I thought it looked horrid, the artist had a miserable dark roann - The boys plagued the Major a good deal about going home on sick leave - Capt. Lewis, Higgins, Egbert, and several officers were in my room when the Major was going to start, and they had been johssy him pretty hearty - he asked the Dr. to help him pull his coat on, saying he had the "Blue Notions", at this they all broke into a hearty laugh and said that was possoming a little to fine, he got somewhat wrathy, and shaking his head and striding across the floor, said "gentlemen, if you dont think I'm sick you can kiss my foot". But the best joke the boys have on him is his speech the night of the Scout Stampede, Co. A Capt McKinly & Co. E Capt Vanasdol were drawn up to go out when he then commanded - "Capt. Vanasdol, you will go out - you will go under Capt. McKinley - You must fight, never give up - fight - fight til you die - I will go with you if you say so" - But he added "I cant go I'm in command of the camp", after the Stampede was all over and the excitement went down and they found there was no real cause for the alarm the boys extracted a great deal of amusement out of the various incidents of which the Majors speech was the most prolific. Capt Hopkins and I made Capt. Lewis repeat Howards speech to us three or four times, and it was our having so much fun over it I suppose, was the cause of its getting to Georgetown and implicating Capt. Higgins, but I have not heard the first Officer here offer a disparaging remark against the Capt. - if we think a man acts cowardly we dont josh him about it - I will close until tomorrow - Higgins and Hopkins today put up nice monument boards over poor Billy Cotterill, with his name on them - After the mail came today there was a letter for Sam Walker and two for Liut. Jennings, I had not forgotten the trick he played me about your letter when I had been looking so long for and so I went up and gave him the one from his brother Rus, he looked disappointed and did not seem disposed to read it and as he was so sick, I had not the heart to withold the other, and when I turned it up before him he could see it, his eyes brightened I assure you - Capt Hopkins father is here with us (the rest of the letter is missing)