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Note: click on the envelope to view the original image of the letter. Click on "Text Version" to view the typed version.
To William from his Father. January 29th, 1865
The weather is very cold and severe at Darby.
He does not expect Jeff Davis to accept terms of peace from the Confederacy for them to remain free. Recruitment is going poorly despite a large bounty and there is likely to be a draft
next month.
Other news about the family.
To William from Maggie. March 26th, 1865
The only surviving letter written from Maggie to William.
She describes the extreme difficulty of parting after his recent visit home, how much "poor little Lizzie" misses him and how deep her love is for him.
A very touching and sad letter considering how little time William had left to live.
Her statement "but this time will come to an end" came true, but in a tragic way that would truly break her heart.
To Maggie from Lt. L J Wolfe. April 20th, 1865
He informs Maggie that her beloved husband is no more and that "he was killed while gallantly leading a charge on the 1st of April". His death is a deep loss to the regiment and to him personally since he was a warm friend and he loved and esteemed him as a brother.
All his things are in his possession and he will send them as soon as it is safe. William packed and sent some dress clothes to Norfolk, Va.
He was decently buried.
To Maggie from Lt. Chas Kirkham. April 20th, 1865
He describes some particulars of William's death. Major Monroe's orderly "says that William was killed instantly while leading the Company in a charge and he was buried near where he fell". In conflict with the statement that he was killed instantly, the orderly stated that after William was shot, his last words were: "Boys. Save me from the hands of the Rebels".
Williams horse went into enemy lines with his Equipment. Before he left Camp he sent most of his things home.
He says that he was a good and brave man, and she should be thankful that he was not taken prisoner by the Rebels.
To Maggie from Lt. L J Wolfe. May 16th, 1865
He responds to a letter he has received from her, expressing that he was more than happy to help in getting William's possessions back to her. He apologizes for not being able to help her recover the body and he hopes to see William's grave in Philadelphia at some point.
He describes the last interactions he had with William before he was killed and what William said to his men just before the charge. Again there is some conflict between what Lt. Wolfe says were William's last words and what the orderly provided to Lt. Kirkham.
He will try to visit her in Philadelphia and tell her more about the events before William's death. In the meantime, he hopes she will place her trust in Christ and strive to meet William in the skies someday.
To Maggie from Capt. Chas Kirkham. June 15th, 1865
He says he and the Company are in good health, but they are anxious to get out. He says that William's horse was lost when he was killed but that she should have no trouble getting paid by the Government for it.
To Maggie from Col. Franklin Stratton. March 17th, 1866
Note: Col. Stratton was the commander of the 11th Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry from mid-1864 until its' muster out.
He tells Maggie that he has prepared a book containing a Register of the commissioned officers of the regiment with their military history and says he would be pleased to send her a copy if she desires.
Note: William is listed in this book on page 24 under "Casualties From October 5, 1861 to August 13, 1865". Letter of Company: E; Rank at time of casualty: Captain; Date of casualty: April 1, 1865; Residence at time of entry into service: Penn.; Where born: England. Remarks: Private, July 27, 1861; Corporal, Sept. 14, 1861; Sergeant, Feb. 19, 1862; First Sergeant, March 1, 1864; Second Lieutenant, March 28, 1864; First Lieutenant, July 1, 1864; Captain, March 21, 1865. Killed in action at Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865.
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