19 January 1862, Kentucky, War Between the States

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Letter of Lt. John Simpson, Co. H, 10th Indiana Infantry

Mill Springs, Ky., Jan. 28th 1862

Hon. O. P. Morton, Governor State of Indiana:

Sir:

   You will please excuse the liberty I take in writing thus unceremoniously to you, but knowing you to be the true friend of the soldier, I take this means of calling your attention to one I think worthy of your patronage. There has been attached to this company (H) and this regiment (10th) an old man by the name of Edwin B. Wood, who enlisted at Lafayette in August last, but upon coming to be sworn into the service he was rejected by Col. Wood, on the account of age and supposed disability. Nothing daunted by this, however, the old gentleman, with commendable patriotism, determined to go with us and follow the fortunes of the regiment. He was given a uniform (such as was made a gift to our regiment before leaving Indianapolis) and a gun, and has kept with us ever since, doing all the duties of a soldier – enduring the long marches; the wet camp and the pinchings of cold with cheerfulness, and as good as any younger man in the company. His actions during the late fight at Logan’s farm would certainly reccommend [sic] him to favorable notice, if not his age and good soldierly qualities. He fought well and bravely, and received a buck shot in his left breast, not, however, doing him any injury as it did not penetrate to the skin.

   If you could possibly get him mustered into service you would be doing a kindness and conferring a suitable reward. The old man does not wish to go home, but on the contrary, wishes to still continue with us. He can stand all the duties to be incurred and I would respectfully recommend that he be mustered into service and paid soldiers’ wages for the time already so well put in. He has not received a cent from the government for his services, and is now wearing the same suit of clothes given him at Indianapolis, he not being able to draw a suit at the last distribution, not being a soldier.

   I would be most happy to be the medium through which you might wish to [word unclear, might be "enlist"] him. This letter is entirely unknown to him, and prompted alone by an honest and desire to see a brave man and a good soldier rewarded. I have only known the man since I have been connected with this company, and therefore have no personal or mercenary motives to be gratified.

I have the honor, Sir, to be
Your obedient Servant

John D. Simpson
2d Lieut Co H. 10th Ind

P.S. Excuse my not paying the postage, but there is not a stamp to be had in this part of the country.
Simpson

10th Indiana Infantry Collection, Indiana State Archives, courtesy Mark Jaeger. There is no record that Wood was ever formally enlisted in the 10th.   See Mark Jaeger's 10th Indiana Infantry page.