James Maxwell
Company D, 127th Illinois Infantry
“As for my coming home, I never expect to see home again, but if I do, I may have lost a leg or an arm, but I will hope that all will be well. …” James Maxwell, March 24, 1863
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March 24, 1863
Dear Sister Lina—
I will try and answer your letter to the best of my poor ability. I have been writing home to Father and the children. Somehow, I never think to mention his better half, but it’s just as well for it is all in the family. I suppose she thinks as much of her family as anyone. I suppose by what you say about her that there will be a new addition as Eddy says in the family, a little half-breed (Don’t never let father see this letter), quite encouraging I should think, to him. I should have liked to have been home when you was all down there. I think I could appreciate a good time as well as most anyone. Did you have as good time at Kinglsey’s as we had last summer? I don’t believe you did. You wanted I should send you some money. I will when I get some. Father must think you can go without clothes, but you shall have some money if I can get it for you.
As for my coming home, I never expect to see home again, but if I do, I may have lost a leg or an arm, but I will hope that all will be well. I would like to go to school this summer for I can see my ignorance more and more everyday. I will not write anymore at present.
Write soon…From your loving brother, Jimmy to Lina
Read more letters in the Maxwell Collection: Biography | undated | 5 June 1863 | February 15, 1863 | 24 March 1863 | 29 May 1871 | 30 Sept. 1873