George Brown, Co. K, 68th Ohio
“If it should be my fate to fall upon the battlefield as I think it shall be—be of good cheer, for I expect to rest in a place where there will be no more fighting….” George W. Brown, January the 28th, 1864
To his brother Alvin Brown
Camp Chase—
Columbus, Ohio, January the 28th, 1864
Dear Brother–
I take this present opportunity to inform you that I am well at present. I do sincerely hope that you are the same. I received your letter a few days ago. I was very happy to hear from you. You stated that you got my likeness. I thought that you did not know it, ye it is perfectly natural. I do not think that you would know me either, if I would come home. I am bigger, fleshier and stronger than ever I was. I would like to know how much postage you pad on that picture.
If it should be my fate to fall upon the battlefield as I think it shall be—be of good cheer, for I expect to rest in a place where there will be no more fighting.
Uncle Jonas was enlisted and he likes it very well. [George refers here to his father’s brother, Jonas Brown who also mustered into George’s Company “K”, 68th Ohio. He was promoted to Corporal on July 23, 1864.]He is getting fat here in camp. He is the only one of our relation that I know of that has enlisted. Brother William has not enlisted. I told him not to. He is not very stout.
You want to know how I like it in our camp. I like it very well. I have real good times. I have an office which is very small, but it keeps me off of guard. Yesterday, we left camp…for Camp Chase, four miles west of Columbus. We got here safe and sound this evening. Things are in first rate order here. We have nice, warm barracks here. They are a great deal warmer than a great many houses that I seen in the west. The only objection that I have to this camp is that it is so muddy. I think that we will leave this camp in a week or two and I want you to write immediately and let me know who is our missionary here in Columbus, and let me know where he lives that I may go and visit him.
I feel as if I would like to stay in a house of prayer and more before I go to my long home. If we only had enough of religious soldiers to have a prayer meeting in camp. There is a great deal of swearing in camp.
Your other letter was a good one. Direct to Camp Chase, Ohio, in care of Capt. Evans, Co. K., 68th O.V. U.S.A.
Read the Brown brothers letters:
Alvin 1862 | Alvin 15 March 1863 | George 29 March 1863 | George Oct 16 1863 | George 28 Jan. 1864