Wood, Matthew (fl. 1862-1865) to Sarah Wood
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02176.04 Author/Creator: Wood, Matthew (fl. 1862-1865) Place Written: Camp Dennison, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 Februrary 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.9 x 24.5 cm. Order a Copy
Written at Camp Dennison to his wife. Says the arms have arrived, and they have been drilling with sabers. Observes the wickedness and sin, and hopes that in piety they could defeat "seceshdom." Discusses how his "little family" makes him want to survive. Comments "our leading officers who are a conducting this war for speculation and worldly honor." Lastly, exhorts that though he may be tempted by sin at camp that she stay pure, mentioning he has already done "something here that I would not have done at home but the Lord was always with me to chastise me." Stationery features an image of battle under an American flag and eagle.
Matthew Wood served in the Ohio Ninth Cavalry with Burnside's army in Tennessee, and William T. Sherman's army at the burning of Atlanta and capture of Savannah.
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