Dec 5th A.D. 1862
Friend Jennie!!!
I am now endeavoring to write you a letter in answer to one I recieved today, with d'm it at the end of my tounge[tongue] I must confess that I am a little riled at present when I opened your letter I found a piece taken from a newspaper I read it thought it was ahead of anything I had seen but when I read the letter...... well I didnt say anything but I thought a good way's. Jennie I must confess that I did not write you a letter for some time and the reason you will see in the letter I wrote you last sabbath but as for having any hard feelings toward you I have none you have given me no reason to have. Jennie you say your eyes did come very near getting sore when you read Hans letter, when I wrote that I had given up all hopes of ever hearing from you again it had been so long since I had Rec'd a letter from you that I thought you had quit. And as for wishing you anything bad God only knows I never wished you any harm in the world why a man would be a fool to make wishes against his own welfare and I know I have not got along that far yet, and pray to God that I never may. Jennie you wrote this letter with some of Andersons indelible ink and you said you dare not comment on him or any of his things and that you had mentioned his name in a letter to me and he got terrible wrothy about it, let him get wrothy and be d'd and you write just what you please and never let me hear tell of your writing any apologies to him or any other man for I would get affronted at that quicker than anything else to think that you would kneel to such a man as him a man that has never done you a favor nor cant do you any harm. Jane don't talk so foolish, you wanted me to write back what you wrote Jane I don't think is worthwhile to hunt it up, at any rate it was nothing for a man of good sound sense to get affronted at, consequently I don't think it worthwhile to pay any attention to it at least it doesn't bother me any and it should'nt bother you for what do you care for him. There I guess I have gone a little to[too] far for you may care a great deal about him. Jane I will take that back if you say so.
Jane you say he wrote to Hans that you said his letters were like Dilworths, you also stated that you did not remember of writing any such thing. This much I can say for you that you never wrote any such thing to me, cant say what you wrote to others about him neither does it make any difference for I know as well as you do that he can't come in the same day with Sample when it comes to writing letters for I think I can write as good a letter as Apgar and I would'nt pick up a pen to try and write a letter with Dilworth for it would be of no use in the first place I'm not practised writer enough secondly I've not got the education. Anderson might think himself well off if he could set down and write as good and sensible letter as Dilworth. I know I should consider myself pretty smart if I could do it, so that I think he has no reason to get spunky about that but rather consider it an honor. You also stated that he wrote to some of my folks Han I believe that he guessed Jane would not be bothered with Ira any longer. I guess the reason you wont be bothered with Ira is because Ira is to[too] far off to bother you unless he meant that you would'nt have anything more to do with me and that some of them were wonderfully tickled to think that such was the case but as far as I am concerned such is not the case and that some of the folks were bound that I should never be any more to you than I am at present. I don't believe that I could be any more to you than I am with the exceptions of tieing[tying] that knot and that shall be done as soon as I come home unless you fly the track and as for me being influenced by anybody as far as that is concerned my mind is made up and has been for the last 3 years and it never can be changed by anybody's influence now if anyone says anything more about that please show them this letter and as for your placing to[too] much confidence in me I don't consider that you ever have at least that need not trouble you and the ones that are so deeply interested in our affairs had better keep a little shady or they might know what catridges were made for before they get through with it, Jane you wrote for me to come home Christmas I cannot do that I am in the office with the Maj now and I can't leave I don't care anything about coming any how till I come to stay I never have wished to be at home since I left no more. Ira
December 6th A.D. 1862
Friend Jennie ---
As I recived another letter from you to day of course I must write something in answer but you need not look for much for I wrote a great long one to you last night in answer to the one I received yesterday wrote you all the news consequently I shant have much to write this evening I might have went to another dance to night down the Railroad about 3 miles but it wan't the right stripe, too many public women there (Railroad ladies) and that's the kind of ladies I never was raised to associate with neither do I want to commence going in that kind of company just because I am away from home think that no one will ever find it out if I can't go in respectable company I won't go in any I never did at home neither will I here Jennie I just more that wrote you a letter last night I guess that will show you what my sentime[nts] are and whether I have been sincere in what I have promised you or not but Jane if you should not get it please write to me and I will write you another one on the same subject but there is not doubt but what you will get it for I put enough directions on it to send it to England if you receive it of which there is not doubt you will, you will find it Miss Manerva Jane Bysel Findlay Postofffice Hancock County Ohio with a remark to the Post Master to pop it through it was dated Dec 5th 1862 Jane I have been in the service not for a little over 3 months and have received 13 letter from you for which you have my sincere thanks and well wished and hoping you may write 3 times as many within the next 3 monthes but I cannot complains as that the great trouble is that come all in a bunch sometimes I don't get a letter from you for 2 or 3 weeks then I will get 3 or 4 all the same day have you ever received that letter yet in which I sent you some Postage Stamps it was dated Nov 6 if I mistake not Jane you said you was so much pleased when you got my letter of the 30th and that when I did not write to you for a long time I wrote such good ones I guess it was the awkward getting up of the letter and the little wee bit of an envelope that that pleased you so much if I hear tell of you making fun of my letters they wont come quite so often for it ain't R.S.D. you are trifling with now then you are glad I have for some place where I cant get out to see M.J. so often I can go a great deal better now than I could when I was with the comp then I had to walk now I have a horse to ride took the Maj's horse and went out in the neighbor hood to a party the other night just more that had a big time I am glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself so well and getting along so well with you studdies I am sorry that I a not able to help you in you Composition but I guess you can get through it without and assistance Jane I should like very much to be there when you have vacation but I cant do it impossible I am well and doing well and what more could a soldier ask for. he could ask for peace but if her couldn't get it he would have to put up with war and that is just what suits me so I say I pitch in Rebels fight as long as you have got a man left for as long as there is a Rebel left there will not be peace there I have written more than I intended when I sat down so good night Jennie please answer as soon as convenient
Ever yours &c. Ira B. Conine Falmouth Ky
Dec 12th/ '62
Well Jennie here I am at the desk for the purpose of writing a few lines to you this is the third letter that I have written and directed to Findlay in your name within the last 7 days. I recieved yours of the 8th of Mr Myres; was glad to hear from you, you stated that I owed you 3 letters Jane if you have not received my letters there is more than that number on the way and you thought it was your turn to scold! Jennie if you think it is, pitch in I can understand it, you know I alway[s] took scolding very easy and since I have got here, nothing worries me in the least. Jane you say you are enjoying yourself as well as you did last winter with the exceptions of sleighing. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself so well, perhaps when there comes a snow and those city gentlemen take you out riding you will enjoy yourself better than you did last winter; for my part I shall be very glad to hear that you are. But I cant enjoy myself as well here or anywhere else as I can in your company. There is no use trying, but I am bound to enjoy myself the best I can you know that was always my way let me be where I would. Jane, father is here came yesterday morning wasn't looking for him so soon but you better think I was glad to see him begins to look like home to see him walking about here. I am going to send all my letters home by him and that Bible you gave me also it is too large to carry got myself a testament you must not think hard of me for sending it home for it is really too large to be handy therefore I know you will excuse me. Jane I would like to hear that dream you dreamed the other night, I expect it was something bad if it was such a dream as I dreamed of you last night I don't want to hear it neither could I hear it if I wished to.
Jane you can tell Han she can go to school and be contented for we wont happen
in while she is gone this winter I don't think or next unless war ends. I am surprised
to hear you say you wont stay home on that account I don't expect you would scarcely
notice one of us if we would come think your self some because you are going
to Findlay to school & since you have got Ike Mullen for a beau! But I think it
will be me that wont notice you if you eat a few more suppers as sallie
wrote to me about. Why you'll get as potgutted as old Doc Alfred you will
look as though you was well you know what!! Well Jane I guess I have written enough
such stuff I will now try to turn your attention to something more interesting.
But Jane I hope you wont take offence at what I have already written for you know
me well enough to know that I never mean half I say. Jane I am well as usual we
are going to have an Oyster supper here tonight don't you wish you were here to
see us kite around father thinks we are having better times here than we could
at home under the present circumstances he is coming home next week then I expect
I will be lonesome for a day or two but it wont last long for there is so many
girls here that a fellow cant think of getting homesick and then they are so
clever that we cant help but like them a little has George come home yet and
has he any notions of going to the army again tell him if he ever goes again
to come here for the 118th Regt. is the luckiest Regt. that ever left Ohio There
I guess I shall stop writing for this time Yours & c.
Ira Conine
Friend Jennie I now resort to the office to respond to a most welcome message which I recieved from you this morning; as I cannot spend my leisure moments more pleasantly than to commune with a long absent friend who is ever near and dear to me.
Jennie I am well and hope you are the same by this time, although you was not when you wrote your last to me but you thought you would recover without getting seriously ill by careful nursing. Jennie I wish I could be there to nurse you. I know you would get well pretty fast. Don't you think you would Jane? Well Jennie I am not going to write much to you this time I wrote to you yesterday and sent it out last evening and a great letter it was to as you will see when you recieve it but it was the best I could do. You know I never could get up much of a letter so you will please excuse them for I do the best I can! Jane I suppose you know my sentiments by this time as you have received mine of the 5th and 6th now don't pay any attention to what other folks say I have got a tongue and a mind of my own or at least I think I have and when I think I don't want you I will let you know, which you know we both have the privilege of doing, so don't put yourself to any uneasyness[uneasiness] hereafter!!!
Jennie you stated that you was sorry you wrote to me about Anderson, "you done just right!" I consider that you would have been doing me an injury had you not have written to me about it for I now know just where to find him, (Anderson). But Jane you need'nt think it will make a disturbance in camp for that would only make it worse.
Jane are you studying to be a preacher or not? I should judge you are from the way you pitched in to me about being a bad boy but pitch in I can stand it if you think I ought to. But I would like to know who informed you of my wickedness or do you judge me from my writing how is it Jane? Jennie I don't think I am any better than I was when I came to the army neither do I consider that I am any worse going to war don't have any effect on me as far as that is concerned.
Jennie I think your poetry excellent please send me some every time you write, but you will please excuse mine this time I sent it all in those of the 5th and 6th.
Jennie you said I need'nt be surprised if I should see your death in the papers. Jane do you have any idea any body thinks enough of you to put your death in print? (please excuse light talk) but I should be very much surprised to hear of your death let alone the feelings I should have to suppress..... no more but remain ever yours & c. Ira B Conine
Jennie you know you did kiss me
Dec 21st/ 1862
Miss Jennie as I am alone to day no person to bother me I shall try to answer yours of Dec 15th which I received 17th also yours of Dec 18th which I received yesterday. The reason I did not answer yours of the 15th ere this, was that our comp. was ordered Thursday morning last to strike tents and move to Kimblers Bridge 2 miles south of Cynthiana. The Capt. got mad swore that if the rest of the boys had to go into the woods to build another blockhouse that I should go along the Major had gone off on business also the Col. I told the Capt. the Col. and Maj. were both gone, and that I shouldn't leave the office untill they returned; the comp. had to leave on the afternoon train. Capt. told the boys he would stay all night bring me to the comp. next morning. Col. came in on evening train (Thursday) I told him what I had done, he said that was right and that I should stay where I was till the Major returned and if he told me I might go, the Capt. could take me. That night the Capt. told the Col. he wanted him (Col.) to dismiss me and send me to the comp. Col. told him that was the Maj. business not his if the Maj. saw fit to let me go why he didn't care Capt. couldn't get any satisfaction staid[stayed] all night morning train came along Capt. jumped aboard the train and went to his company.
Maj. returned last evening I told what I had done he said it was all right, told me to tel Capt. Howard to go to H'll, consequently I don't know whether I shall go to the comp. or not, but I should judge from the expression the Maj. made that I would not go yet. Comp. K is left here pretty well fixed hav'nt got but 6 guns Morgan had'nt better attack head quarters if he don't want to get cleaned out.
It looks like an imposition after comp. G has worked and fixed up winter quarters and built one blockhouse to move us off to another station to build another blockhouse and fix up for winter again don't blame the Capt. for getting mad, but it was all his own fault I pity the men but it is the best thing they could have done with Cap or our first Lieut either. I am bound to stay here just as long as I can a purpose to spite Old Cap although it is very lonesome here without comp G. There is but very few Comp K that I am acquainted with but I am going to stay here as long as I can stand it for it is a great deal better for me than to stand guard or work on blockhouses this rainy muddy weather, and a great deal healthier. It is sleetting today looks quite dreary to me more so than it has any other day since I came from home.
Oh! That I were home this rainy lonely sabbath that I might stop over to see Jennie once more, how pleasant it would be. But this contemptible unholy unjust uncalled for war has parted us, as I have reason to believe to never meet again in this world, or in the world to come unless I mend my ways a great deal and that too pretty soon for I am without doubt a very wicked boy and it would take the patience of Job to be anything else here for there is all kinds of devilment & evil deeds commited here, the army is just full of them. If it was not this war would never have continued as long as it has, I wish the time would soon come when we could see Jeff Davis Beauregard and a few others swinging between the heavens and the earth struggling and kicking for breath. I would swing my old hat and give them 3 cheers and wish them a safe journey to that place where there is to be wailing and gnashing of teeth. wouldn't all good union men say Amen to that?
Well Jennie I shall now try to answer yours of 15th and 18th not set down and write a little bit of a sheet 3/4 full leave one side entirely bare and not answer anything you wrote as you did with me when you wrote your last. I want you to answer that letter I would like to read an answer to that real well, and if you get tired of reading my letter please lay it aside till some day when you cant neither eat nor sleep and then resort to your room and read it and I'll bet when you are through you will have an appetite for supper or sleep either.(in fact you wont know which to take first) Jennie I am well and doing well tell ma we have got some of that butter yet the boys all send their best respects and hope that she may have an abundance of milk and butter more than she knows what to do with and send us the overplus, it was quite a treat to us. Please look over the other sheet if you have time.
There Jennie I consider your letter pretty well answered don't you now I will
try to write you a few lines to inform you how we are getting along well I have
just got back to the office been over to camp for my supper stayed there a while
with the boys it is now 6 o.c. and I am pretty sleepy for I have been up two
nights till 1/2 past 2 o.c. night before last I went to a dance here in town
last night I went out 7 miles from town to a social party had a real nice time
all it lacked was your presence I rode the Maj.'s horse was'nt he clever for
letting me have his horse to ride we had two dances here last week we are just
enjoying ourselves the best kind I would'nt come home for anything to stay as
long as there is any war all I have to regret is that I did not start when it
first commenced. I shant give you a description of our actions I wrote that to
Sallie yesterday you must not take what I said in her letter about you in earnest
for I was to[too] full of the old scratch yesterday to write anything but
foolishness but what I wrote to her about our actions is all true that is just
the way we are carrying on this war the next letter you write please tell me
whether Sallie received a letter from me dated the 4th of December if she did
you have got a pretty good description of things in general here it is all just
as I wrote to her exactly we don't care what we do or say Oh! Yes Jane how
I would have liked to have been there about the time you and Sallie went
down to the office and got that great big letter I sent you by Mr Baker I expect
when you got that you thought I had cerled[curled] myself up in an envelop and
come home by mail it made a whole armful didn't it Jane? Well we are all well
and hearty and waiting the exclamation of "Peace is declared"!! Well I am
mighty sleepy but I am bound to finish this letter before I stop writing if I can
set up two nights till after 2 o.c. dancing and playing I certainly can set up
till 8 oc to write a letter to you for I could enjoy myself if I was where you are
now a great deal better than than I can here to a half dozen
dances and if I could enjoy myself better in your presence than I could at a
half dozen dances why shouldn't I enjoy myself writing to you Jennie I am here
in the office all alone setting at the desk writing home. I wish you were here
to see me write but Jane I would rather you would not write anything more about
me coming home for I cant come and I would a great deal rather you would'nt write
anything more about it then I would a great deal rather not come home till I come
to stay take good care of yourself and be a good girl and everything will
come all around right yet I don't care what Mr Apgar writes to Han because I go
to see a girl or two here is no sign that I am going to marry one of them
for as little as you are I would'nt give you for all the girls I have seen in Ky
so let Apgar write what he will and folks up there talks as they may and it
will be all right any how no more this time or you might get tired of reading
so much at one time where my letters come so close together on last sunday another
one today please excuse all mistakes bad spelling poorly composed and poorly written
letter do better next time if I can.
Ira
