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j Medina County and Its People IBv William Nathaniel OsbunLetters of Civil War DaysCHAPTER 262Throughout the ages, mothers have pined for and worried about their sons who were called to the fields of battle in many wars.Roxanna Oakley of Spencer township wrote her son. Seth D.Oakley, father of Mrs. Della Erb of Medina, a heart-breaking letter during the Civil war, parts of which are quoted below:“My Dear Son: I am going to try to write you a few lines. I want to write you a long letter, but am afraid you won’t get it ...If you don’t get it—only time lost—but if you do get it, you will know I haven't forgotten you.If you could look into my heart or know my thoughts, you would know how well I love you and how uneasy I am.. .1 am glad you don't know how I feel, and when I feel badly I try to keep up as good courage as I can—and that isn’t very good— so many getting killed and wounded ... and getting sick and dying ... every day.• • •“YOU MUST BE a good boy and put your trust in God. live a praying life... ask God to spare your life ... and come home, for I won’t live without you. I can’t give you up. You must come back. You have my feeble prayers and best wishes. Take as good care of yourself as you can and keep up good courage.I was in hopes you would not go to the front until after the battle. I don't believe you were able to go. and I wouldn’t go till I was able. I wouldn’t march and fight when I felt bad. or my eyes sore. You might as weil rest, like the other boys.“My prayer is that God. Who has taken care of you in other days, will take care of you still.Put your trust in Him. and if anything happens to you. let me know—or. if you want anything, write every mail if you can. If you want money, let me know and I will send you some.’’• • •OAKLEY’S LETTER to his sister. dated May 25. 1864 (sec excerpts below), is interesting:“Dear Sister: I have nothing ,else to do—so might as well be R ,uck' writing ... I don't know where I shall go from here ... I’m feeling very well today, although one of my eyes is a little sore. Get plenty to eat—such as it is— sauerkraut, tea. beef. rice, soup and other things too numerous to mention.•’The wounded have all left here for Chattanooga ... This would be a very pleasant country if it wasn't for the rebellion, which I hope will soon be put down, and it will if our troops have good luck.“Last night I sat in my tent (or. more properly, dog house) and mv mind was wandering in the past ... thinking of the many happy days we spent ... going toschool... and little did I think there would be such hard times in store for us.“Then were our happy days never again will we enjoy‘such times ... like when we were both at home . with father and mother... when many times we thought times were hard and cruel . but had we always done as mother or father said, we would always come out best in the end.“I TELL YOU. I have learnt these things the hardest way and that is by experience, but when once learnt, you will never forget Where would I be nowit 1 had minded mother—nothere in this forsaken South.‘The more I see. the more 1 wish every Rebel was dead! Just to see our wounded, let alone the dead, some without arms, some wounded in one way and some in another. Well, you will see them —hit m every way. shape and manner—shot through and yet living and doing well—it makes me almost sick—never ha vine the least idea of giving up...] am going to see it through.“I am no better than the rest of the poor boys, my life is nc more than theirs, and I will dc all I can to put the rebellion under the sod so deep it will never break out again. It puts fresh courage in one’s veins tc have revenge. You know nothing of war up there.“IF YOU COULD step insi-of some hospital you would s some of the effects of it .. small part ... but that would all you would want to see. Ai then, to go on the field after battle ... oh. I tell you it can’t 1 described, seeing men all torn pieces ... yet it is the fortune war.“There can't be a war witho some getting killed ... and it mi | come mine some time, but i think not ... I think my luck is get through safe ... our compai has been luckv ... so far only oi man killed... and we are t! only one that can say so in tl regiment... we will always ha‘Ihome as it homewonder if everything looks as green and prc daes here. I wish I \ just a few minutes toI don't want to come home af till I am my own man and go and come when I please don’t think I will veteran in army ... as I feel now'... I w to see how it would seem to my own boss, and not have be drove around by anyone 1 I think is no better than I am“I HAVE NOT home since I left have letters care of —but when I will more than I know now. It i (Continued on Page 3)h( •ai d f Suppos the regin get then
Newspaper Details
Medina County Gazette
Medina, Ohio, US
Fri, Dec 30, 1955
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Carla G.
USA 22 Jul 2016
Other Publications Near Medina, Ohio
Medina Sentinel
Medina County Gazette
The Gazette
