Transcribed Letters
Transcriber's note: comments enclosed in [ ]'s were added by me for purposes of clarifying identities. Otherwise, all contents of letters are transcribed exactly as found.
West Union, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1866
Mr. and Mrs. D.W.C. Hayslip
Circleville, Texas
Dear Brother and Sister,
It is with the greatest of pleasure to me and our family to know that I have one full brother in the land of the living. Mother received a letter from Luella that brought the intelligence that she had received a letter from Ann [Lee Eubank Hayslip] bringing the glad news (through her) of the fact that you are among the living, and not among the slain of the infernal rebellion, as we all expected from the rigidness that those fond of rebellion forced things in Texas. I suppose that you had either been conscripted or murdered for your Union sentiments, as I was fully satisfied you would never yield peaceably to the storm of session.
You in common with the rest of the family have to mourn the loss of two brothers in the maintenance of this glorious country of ours. Brother James [Lockhart Hayslip] who was wounded at Dalton, Alabama, died from the effects of his wounds on the 28th day of August 1864 at Nashville, Tennessee. Sister Mary was with him when he died, and removed his remains to his home in Illinois for interment. He was a member and Orderly Sergeant of Company 1 86 Illinois Volunteer Infantry. I saw hime once, while I was in the service. Brother Bob [Robert Campbell Hayslip] and I were both in the same regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was a member of Company D. He enlisted May 16, 1861 and I July 17, 1861, to serve three years unless sooner discharged. We remained together until after the Battle of Stone River, March 1863, when I was discharged under an order discharging all regimental bands. But I remained with the regiment in the employ of the sutler until the Battle of Stone River, in April ’63. I came home, but Bob re-enlised in February ’64 and went through the Battles of Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Chickahominy, and Nashville without a scratch, but after the fighting was over, they were stationed at Sand Hill, Georgia, where the water was very bad, and where he was taken with something like typhoid fever, which terminated with inflammation of the bowels. His illness was of seven days duration.
His remains are interred in the U.S. Arsenal Cemetary of Sand Hill, Georgia. The boys built a wall around the graves of all their comrades who were buried there. Carey [Baldwin] Hayslip was in the army as agent of the 9th U.S. Infantry. Brother Thomas was taken prisoner by one Galeton Jimkins, and taken to Richmond and confined as a prisoner for some three or four months, and then was released; came back home and instituted a suit agains his estate for the sum of $15,000 which he will get. This is a record of some of the most important events of the accursed rebellion on our family. While I was in the army, I was in Glasgow. I saw several of your acquaintances. I was in the old farm house where your mother-in-law was raised. The farm lays about 3 ½ miles northwest of the town. I disremember the name of the folks, but they were very clever. I took dinner with them. He told me his name was John Eubank, but we were ordered to move a day or two later, so I did not get to go back to see him. The town looks in tolerable condition, as all southern towns do, from the effects of war. Our Northern towns do not have any of those marks of desolation, but all look prosperous. West Union is about the same as it was when I last wrote you with the exception of our new foundry of which I am a member of the firm. We are manufacturing corn, millstones, and hollow ware and a variety of articles too tedious to mention. We are all in good health; my family of four boys and one girl. The fourth boy and girl are twins, William and Maggie, 10 months old. Frank is the oldest, nine years old. Samuel Carey is seven, Joseph Ammon is four this summer. Mother’s health is about as good as usual but considerable depressed in spirits. But she has been in some better spirits since she learned you were in the land of the living. Lemira’s health is good.
Sister Mary Ann is with us this winter; she has one of Brother Jim’s little girls [Mary Anzo] with her. She brought her home with her when she took Brother James’ body home. Mary’s health is not very good this winter. Your old friend Corvell is still here. He has been writing to you some time, but has not received an answer yet, but continues to look for one.
Well, Clint, I will have to close for want of room, by saying that old Adams has become thoroughly abolitionized and the Union Party holds the reins of government in the country. All send our love to you and your family. Write as you get this.
Yours affectionately,
Joseph W. Hayslip
03/02/99