~Letters written by David Reed~
David Reed was Nancy's 1st cousin , his mother, Jane Thompson was Nancy's father's sister. David died in the Civil War, 1833-1862.
December 9 1861
Cousin Nancy Thompson,
I took time to write to you to let you know that I am well at present and hope you the same. We had a pleasant time here yesterday we had lots of girls in to see us soldiers. Nancy I wish you could come down to see us soldiers we have a good time here . We were to Church yesterday at Philadelphia. Nancy I want you to write to me when they are going to have a dance up to our town. I think I will be up in 2 or 3 weeks if nothing happens. The Waynesburg Girls is coming down in a week or two. Nancy I am going to run a foot Race now and I will tell you how I come out. Excuse till I run the race.
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The race is over the side that I was on beat.
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There is three nice young ladies in camp now. Nancy come down. Our Captain went to Columbus to get our time extended longer, if we have 6 hundred men on the 15th of this month we have to leave but I think we will get time I hope so well I must stop writing this time. But write soon excuse my bad writing. But remember Your friend
David Reed
To Nancy Thompson
Dover
Camp Meggs Ohio
Care of Ca Ulman
April the 6 1862
Cousin Nancy,
I received your let. some time ago and were glad to hear that you enjoyed your self so well in the west. Well Nancy, I am well at present but I am troubled with the Newralgy I had it about 3 hours the day and I have got a touch of it now . I hope yours are all well. I wrote a letter to Irvin and hant got no answer yet. I would like to hear from you and like to know how you got home. I think when I get home we must go and see our cousins. I don’t care how soon that will be. We will go to Cumberland and see Becky & Joseph & Uncle Isaac McGregery. I heard that Austin Brothers got home & he lost one of his fingers. I don’t know whether it is so or not but I heard so. We had a big storm here the 1 of April. It was a hard storm it blowed roofs off and houses down and boats were blowed out on land . Our tent were blowed all to pieces. I tell you we shoveled gravel for a while. It is very pleasant here now but very warm for the time of year. The trees are out in leaf & peach trees are not in blossom and apple trees they have been out for some time. I would like to know whether you have got that watch that I won of you. I would like to have it now and I would like to have some of them walnuts that grows down at Cumberland. Turn over. Marion Ross is well. I got a let, from Lew Ross since I were here in Camp. I want you to write all the particulars that is going on for I would like to hear what is going on. We have lots of secesh (secessionists) here but they must keep straight. We have lots of music here. There is a boat that has a Caliope on & it plays by steam. It can be heard 5 miles & then the fifes and drums they come in. I must stop now for dress parade excuse me for a while.
Well, I will commence again. I were mistaken about calling rest out for dress parade it was for meeting but I did not go. Joseph Reed (1834- 1906) is getting supper. He is commencer on the last (flioh?) it is about 6 years old. We had a good dinner. We had Bread Tuden we got a union woman to bake it for us boys, 16 of us.
Nancy I guess you won’t see me ride down the road towards Waynesburg for some time. I think of them limes but them is over for awhile. Well I must stop writing for this time for the ink is done (Ant that a bad go?)
Nancy write soon and remember you best friend,
David Reed
David Reed to Nancy Thompson
Paducah KY
Co, A 80 Regt O.V.
In care of Co. Ulman