This letter was written by George W. French (1829-1895) of Lyons, Michigan, who enlisted as a private on 14 October 1864 in Co. G, 10th Michigan Cavalry, and was promoted to a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. C on 1 April 1864. George survived the war and was mustered out at Memphis on 11 November 1865 as a 1st Lieutenant.
George was the son of William French (1791-1869) and Eliza Page (1794-1847) who migrated to Michigan by way of Ohio from Vermont. In 1860, George was serving as the postmaster in Lyons, Michigan, and was married to Harriet E. Pelton (1840-1872), the daughter of Henry and Margaret Pelton of Lake county, Ohio. After Harriet’s death, George married her sister Jane (1834-1908).
Transcription
Strawberry Plains
East Tennessee
June 8, 1864
My Dear Wife,
Enclosed I send you three hundred in a draft on New York. I should of sent four but I only got three months pay this time up to the time I was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and as I have not got the valise, I have got to get some clothes so I had to keep about $70 as things is very high here. You must of been very careless in marking it and must of lost off. You should of had the directions put on in black paint on the valise. I think it is lost. When you get this, I wish you would buy or have Charles buy me a five hundred U. S. Bond of the 5×20 or 10×40. I should prefer 5×20 if they can be got. Do this instead of letting anyone have your money as the interest is paid in gold. If you have to borrow some, I will send you three hundred more in July. I want one very much.
Our boys got off in the last raid with only one man hurt. They killed 22 rebs and took twenty-seven prisoners. Their wounded they got off so we do not know how many there was.
What is the reason you do not write? I have not had any letter but that little one in I don’t know how long. If you cannot get time or if you are not able, let [your sister] Jane write a few lines.
I am at work on the fort everyday now. I wrote you about a bug that got in my ear. I am afraid it will make me deaf in that ear as there is a piece I nor the doctor cannot get out and it stops up the ear so I cannot hear any now. Otherwise I am well but feel anxious about you—to hear how you get along. Write as soon as you get this and send me some stamps. I do not know if I have anything more to write, only the Colonel [Luther Stephen Trowbridge] says if Richmond is taken, he will let me come home in July sometime. I shall try anyway if my ear does not get better to get something done for it.
Someone wanted to know if Charley told the other day in Knoxville if he knew me. He told him him he did and he said he knew you and had seen me. I do not know who it was and he did not tell his name. I shall go and see him when I go to Knoxville again. Write soon.
Yours with much love to self and boy, — G. W. French
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