Center for Archival Collections

February 24, 1864

McComb Ohio
Feb the 24th, 1864

Dear Son,

Yours of the [18]th was received Feb the 22nd found us usually well. And this evening amid it a perfect pow wow. I am trying to answer it. Imagine Han, Eliza, Sally, Kate Parker, Sally Long (our school teacher) all in a perfect [train] and then a nervous old woman sitting down to write. O dear it almost crazes me. We have had the most girl visitors (and others too) you ever saw. Well every one must have their day. Now for the news. First the weddings-Isaac Muller and the Scotch maggot. Isaac is going to stay until he is [exchanged]. George Downing to a Miss Slusser. James Alfred I don't know his lady's name. Dianna Lovel it used to be (a Mrs Pickens) to a man by the name of Jones that used to fix clocks. She has 4 children he has 7 or 8. Well I never heard of so much marrying in my life. There is (excuse mistakes) also a great deal of sickness and death. Mr. Beard was burried [buried] today. There is also buying and selling farms. Dav Greer has sold his farm to Mr. [Lono] and has bought Mr. Shillings. He (Shillings) started this morning for Michigan to hunt a farm. Young Jake Mathias has sold his is going to send his wife to Sam Croul's and he is going away to get away from the draft. Oscar Vandorn is here wants to buy out John and let John go back to his Fathers. I guess they will go. Feche Conine has a young son calls him Wm Sherman aint she fast. John Mathias is home working like a good boy experienced religion, asks a blessing to the table him and Ephraim are buying out all the children share in the old farm. Jo is home, he is pretty hard I guess. Going back next fall, you wanted to know who started the report of you marrying Mrs. Spar asked him if it was so said she heard we received a letter from you, to that effect. [Hall Hickerson] told John Mathias and told him it was undoubtedly so Now aint this enough gossip. Saturday morning-quiet is restored and I will try to finish this letter. The girls are fixing to go to town. Sally and the teacher have just gone to have a load of wood. James Lovel lives on Eliza's place Pa hires him to chop our wood [79 cts per cord]. He is going to farm some for us. He is not going to have a great deal farming done. We have not commenced making sugar yet.------ Ira you speak of ____ are leaving but did not say where. What are you doing? The girls letter has not arrived yet, that you spoke of. Sally says you do not write to her to see if her times is all taken up. She got a letter from J Shaw this week also a valentine from Knoxville did not know the hand write all the girls (Jane too) got valentines from Chicago last week very pretty ones. I guess I have told you all the news. Be a good boy d o nothing wrong and write every week. We all join in sending our love to you.

Yours, L. Conine

October 28, 1864 (with Molly)

McComb Ohio
Oct 28th 1864

Mr. Ira B. Conine Esq.

Dear Brother !

How does your fine health flourish this pleasant eve. Well thank you wishing you the same it is almost bed time for honest folks but I will answer on the [rogue]'s list this eve for I want to answer Brother's very welcome letter of the 6th and was glad to hear of his good health and that he still remained at Knoxville. We have been verry busy today making sorghum gathering our winter apples which are very scarce on account of the dry season. Tom and I went down to the widdow Shaws after crab apples got nearly two bushels going to do them up in Sorghum so call and take tea with us some eve and we will give you some to put on your bread in place of butter as that article is a verry high price at the present. Sallie and Eliza went to their school this morning. Eliza writes to you this week.

Lydia M. is still single. Charley is little more slier than he was when home in the spring! Although rumor says him and Ida are going to marry before long, if so joy go with them! Scotch maggot still flourishes, was here yesterday, no one pays their distresses to her at present. Julia H. still keeps her heels and stomache. Oripa C. is in Findlay lurning [learning] dress making trade with Elen W. I received a letter from J. S. Last week he is well is at Atlanta company B. 29th regt. Sallie is more than lonesome since his absence. I laugh tell her to get use to it as thousands of others have had to do, think that must be quite a good fellow by the description your gave of him. We shall look for him in due time. Sent Lieut Wallace that paper you requested mailed at Findlay Thursday. That is all the piece we ever saw and as you will see E. Parker wrote that. What did you ever do to Preble that his dignity got so highly offended. Wish they would dismiss him from the service. Guess either Pa or you are as good as old Josh Preble. If not I would disown you!

[Nales] Burkhead died last eve after laying three weeks with the Typhos fever. Is to be burried [buried] tomorrow, he was in the army received a discharge on account of ill health. Oliver Shaw has returned been here once since back, saw him today while after apples. Mullens have not heard from Ike for fifteen weeks. Have not heard from Joe as yet. Lucinda is in Wood County having beaux and enjoying her self finealy [finally]. Eli Dukes is at home also Jason Dyke, old Ly [Mangrove] has gone to the army to have revenge for [Jerrie]'s death. I guess still kicks honeary [honorary] as ever. Mahlon and Family are well also Sam's and John's families. Had a gay time while staying at Bysels. Jane was up here little over a week ago. Staid [stayed] all night. Ira you wanted all the news and I am trying to give them as near as I can it is an old story to us but perhaps will be new to you! Old watch is dead look fits and we got Newton H to school him now I must tell you how Eliza and I got taken on surprise. Saturdays mail E. Received the [Waverley] magazine. Right from New York. The rest were all sitting around the lamp reading the weekly paper. Looked through the magazine saw a good story headed "concerning the war". Took a candle went up stairs undressed just got wraped [wrapped] snugly in bed E. holding the candle me reading. Heard some one coming up stairs out went the candle under the covers went the paper. Lo and behold no one but Tom after Sallies old dress and hoopes of course did not care for her. Lit the candle resumed our reading just got to a verry [very] interesting point when lo and behold the first we heard or saw was a great tall image before us demanding a surrender of our light. We made no resistance. The image (which looked a great deal like the old ladies of the house) just gave two steps and the stair door closed. Left us in the utter darkness to dream over and wonder what the result of our war story would be. E. said I should tell you it was worse than making you pull off your boots and go to bed. When she knew you and her wanted to have a coy little chat, the girls and I call her the Yankee commander. Pa and Ma goes to Alliance tomorrow also to Uncle Johns going to stay all night leaves Tom Charley and myself all alone except big [fraid] will carry off little [fraid] tomorrow night. I glory in your spunk not going into the invalid corps when you are an able boddied [bodied] man. Although I should prefer most any thing than be sent to the front when there is so much marching and hard work to do. Ira J. Ward is the biggest man in Hancock County and knows the most at least he think so, but I cant see it in that light. Hope you had a good time while tending that meeting. Did you tame easy. Cant think of any thing more of importance to night. Be a good boy write soon long letters compliments to Mr. Wallace also that other gay lad love to your self.

Your sister,
Mollie C.

[from Hannah]
Tuesday morn,

Have not time to write much have to go over to Johns ma will tell you what for. I have seen that Ladie [lady] you spoke of writing to. Maggie is a smart intelligent ladie [lady]. Saw here while staying at Ottawa that week. She spent two or three evening with Jennie and I like her verry [very] much. No time to write more.

[from Mother]
Han has left a little room for me to write a few lines. Said I would tell you why she had to go to [Jake}. Martha had a slight [paralletic] stroke this morning we were over there this eve. She is pretty smart think she will get along unless she should have another attack. We have just finished making sorghum molasses today it is nice this year made [2] barrels we did not go to Ottawa on account of Han leaving. Guess this letter will go some time. Will write you a letter in a few days although I have written one or two since any received. Be a good boy do nothing unworthy of a good soldier. Write often.

Yours,
L.C.

October 30, 1864

McComb Ohio
Oct the 30th 1864

I.B Conine

Your most welcome letter of the 19th was received last eve found us enjoying our usual health and glad to hear your good health also of receiving that ___ you said nothing of the cheese. Was it spoiled? I was afraid it would be. that Butter was not first best as it came quite soft but could not wait until I churned again. Tell Lieut Wallace we have plenty of such butter up north and plenty of pretty girls too that know how to make nice butter. I have sold 46 lbs of butter this summer amoun to $123 and over. We have milked 7 cows most of the time.

Ira don't you think it would have been practicable to have went to your Regt under the order you spoke of afraid perhaps you may have trouble.

James Ward was telling a few days ago of a similar case I should judge in Nashville. They sent a special order for all persons on detail fit for duty. He managed to be absent and was reported by his friends not fit for duty at last an order came to the commander of the department to have him sent to them in ___. I hope it may not be your case. I think the most safe and honorable means would be to obey all superior officers. I am giving this advice unasked for and perhaps yes altogether ignorant of military matters. I add be cautious do your duty be honorable we now count the months yes almost the days when you will be honorably discharged and return to your friends without a blemish on your character having done your duty as a good soldier.

You speak of send home some money. I do not think it would be safe unless by the state agent. To day is Sunday. Han and Eliza went to Father Apgar's yesterday have not got back yet. Sarah was sick not able to go. She complains a great deal. I think she studies to hard. Friday night we sent Charley and ___ after them. They missed them and the girls walked all the way home 7 miles. Well it is milking time I must quit.

8 O c--- Han stayed at Oren's all night Eliza and Sallie are getting their geography lesson, Eliza says you may look for a letter before long. She has no time at school. They got scared out of their own house. Board there but lodge with 4 girls close by that boarding themselves and going to school. They dare not stay alone either, 6 of them, stay together have a 6 shooter and a pistol. Spect they will kill something. Sarah says she is going to back school and get her a [melodian]. Think she can play at your wedding. ___ says tell Ira I am all right, can team as usual but terribly hates to work in the house.

Ike Conine is at [Talahoma] they got a letter from him last night. Writes to his father to go to the election and give old Abe a lift. He is Union since he enlisted but quite to the contrary all summer. John Vandorn voted the Union ticket this election. Mahlon is strong in the faith, says he don't care he knows it like "the fellow when the snake bit him." Dan Greer has bought [Fundums] farm gave $4200 for it traded his Mathias Davis place towards it, even his fare for the ___ ant he getting along fast. Han had a letter from Giff C. last week said he had been in a skirmish a number of days ago said his bunk mate was killed in the fight, said he would kill 6 Rebs for revenge, said if he did not kill anyone he made them smell powder. Said he had written to you some time since but had received no answer. We did not go to Ottawa as we expected too have not seen them for some time. I would like to go to see you as I hear you sent yourself or your image to her. Bysel says it is perfectly natural.

Monday morning, the girls made such a noise last night I could not finish all well this morning. Han is going to take the girls to school. They all send their love to you. Write often, and be a good boy. Yours truly, L.C.

December 11, 1864

McComb, Ohio
Dec the 11th /64

Ira -- Guess you will have to wait for an answer as long as we waited for an answer from you. We began to think you cared little about us - especily after we heard you had written a number of times to Jennie - The girls got real spunky. I did not say much - but as the Feller said kept a terrible thinking -- but at last your letter came to hand a week ago last Wednesday - The roads have been so bad, had no chance of sending to Town.-- I dreamed the second night after you left, that you was dead -- and then saw you drowning -- I worried considerable about it - until I heard from you. I tell our folks that my dream was your the night before - Dan Oran and Julia Howell came here a few minutes after we left that morning didn't know you was going so soon. Dan stayed all day. John Oran came in the evening. They stayed until the girls commenced taking of their shoes and stockings preparing for bed -- They never know when to go to home -- Charley Ritter has moved his Baggage to Mullen's. They were here a few evenings ago.-- Pa was up to Findlay last week got a letter for you from Wallace dated the 9th of Nov. Read it and laid it away - he (Wallace) is quite a letter writer--.

Pa & myself was up to Findlay to a Wedding infair Eli Beach'es Father 71 years old. Married a Mrs. Smith of Findlay a Lady between 50 and 60 years old. Eli made a large infair for him

[part missing?]

accident, you met on the cars rather Superstitious and Ira how lucky you was, escaping without any broken bones - how thankful you ought to be - what did you think about when you was tumbling over? didn't you think what a wicked boy you was how little prepared to meet your Gods. I wish you would follow the example of John Mathias - he has joined the Church after he left for the Army the last time - he is now at home - he resigned, have not seen him yet - Joseph Mullens death came in the paper this week[.] died at Andersonville - They have not heard from Isaac yet - you wanted to know what time we got home that day - it was 3 oc. P.M. Monday. The Girls had been washing - wasn't in very good humor guess they had been up rather late. We stayed all night at Parkers - Aunt Sally has been very sick with the Typhoid Fever - was able to set up but a few minutes when we was there. Saw Amelia up there, sends her love to you, said she never enjoyed herself so well in so short a time in her life. --- Quite a compliment from Billy Snyder - says you put on more style than any soldier he has seen for some time. Guess if he had seen you at home he would not have thought so - Think he would? -- Well Ira if you was home now you would think it was cold enough to Frieze Niggers. We had 6 or 7 Bushels of Potatoes frieze before we got them Burried. Our Tenant had his all froze in the ground - Father Bysel too with a great many more -- Our Straw Stack blowed over and Burried one of our cows, found her dead in the morning -- The Girls all go to School except Han. They are asleep so you need not look for anything from them.--Did you get your Butter home Safe? We all join in sending our love to you. Write often - Your Mother

[upside down in top margin of first page]
We just heard that E. Mathias was taken Prisoner in the Battle at Franklin Ten. Harv is safe--he is cook.

[side margin of first page]
Pa paid that Livery Man $400

MS 673 - Ira B. Conine Papers, Introduction | Transcript List
Manuscripts by Subject | Civil War Collections