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James Whitmer enlisted in Company G of the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, aged 20, on September 2, 1861 to serve three years. He transferred to the 1st United States Veteran Volunteers Engineers on August 15, 1864 as a veteran and served through the remainder of the war.

James Whitmer Correspondence - 1861

December 19, 1861

Dec 19th 1861

it is with the greatest of pleasure that i seat myself to wright a fiew lines to let you know that we are all well at present. We are on the road to the fight. We are in good hopes of a fight. We want to fight thurndren bad. We are in good hopes of returning home once more the last rebble is out of Virginia. The main force is in Kentucky, it appears so any how.

John Copus is with us again. He looks pretty well. We still have plenty to eat in camp. i have good health. i have a poor place to wright (turn over) i sit on my blanket and rite to you as i got your letter to day and was glad to hear from you all. We still live in hopes.

Martha wrote that you sent some provisions to my folks. That was a good turn, verry good indeed it was. But still the war is settling fast as it can. We are the boys for fight we are. We are the things for to have a shooting match with old Buckner. We have him in close corners he is in a place whare he must fight or starve. We think he will fight before he will starve. Be patient with the sick and the weak. We still live in Kentucky on the railroad from Louisville to Nashville.

I want you to wright to James Whitmer. Direct your letter to Elisabethtown, Ky. Look out for fun with Kentucky. i sent some money to home to our folks. We drawed our money. Nothing More at present. But remaining your friend,

James Whitmer
as sassy as the devil and all his angels

[Serving in Co.G, 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry]

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