Adam Bentz Civil War Letters 15-18

These are letters that Adam Bentz (1842-1886), a Union Civil War Soldier from Meigs County, Ohio, wrote or received in the Civil War era.  Reading them in succession from 1 to 18 gives an interesting story.  William W. Bentz (1913-2001), Adam’s great nephew and my Dad, found these letters in the family Bible of Adam’s parents, Michael (1815-1864) and Mary Harpold (1823-1912) Bentz.  Emma Bentz Hayman (1854-1934) and Matilda Bentz (1857-1944), Adam’s sisters, lived together in Syracuse, Ohio and had custody of the Bible for many years.

Fifteenth Letter September 1, 1864

US General Hospital

Chester Pa

September the 1^st  1864

Dear Affectionate Sister & all the ones

               Your most kind & welcome Letter came to hand this afternoon & I hasten to reply. I was very glad to hear from you & that you were all well.  I am getting along pretty well.  I am not any worser than I stated in my other letters one of the holes in my side is healing up nicely I shall get well pretty soon by taking care of myself.  You need not fear of me dying yet.  Tell GrandMa & Aunt Sally not to cry to much so they can kill that fat Chicken for me when I get home.  Em I cannot send you my Photograph this time but I will bring you one when I come Home, I have sent 5 or 6 letters to you at Pomeroy when Pa goes to Pomeroy he can get them & there will be one in the Box for Clarence Foster tell him to keep it for me until I come.  I expect to leave the 10^th of this month for Pittsburgh then to Wheeling & then get my Discharge then take a Boat for Letart Falls.  You need not write any more letters to me for I wont get them I am very thankful to you for the $1.00 & Post Stamps.  Give my Respects to GrandMa  & Pa & Uncle George & to Aunt Babara Mcdade &Aunt Sally & all enquiring Friends, tell Uncle George I will bring him a big Winter Blouse for him to work in.  I must close for I am tired & Sleepy so good Bye.

               Your Brother

               Adam Bentz

               To Emma Bentz

PS I hope Henry will get home soon.  I thought he was there by this time, if he comes give him my respects, & tell him to stay at home till I come.

               Give my love to my Brothers  & Sisters

                              Adam Bentz

Bill Barnes sends his wishes to you all.

Sixteenth Letter May 1^st, 1865

Hant Island N York

Camp af Hant Barracks

               May 1^st /.65

               Peter Bentz

                              Dear Brother

I am well & hope you are the same.  I have pretty good news to write this time, that is we will be back Home in about 2 weeks or 3.  We are 20 miles from New York City.  Well I don’t like this place one bit for we cant get enough to eat, but I don’t care for that I go to the Sutler & by things to eat. The boys are all glad that the war is over, they are all going to be Discharged as fast as possible.

Peter if you get any letters for me keep them until I come home.  Wont I bore Lewis Raush when I come home Peter tell Ma to put Stamps on that Note of mine.  I sent you a $1,50.00 check, when I was at Columbus did you get it keep it until I come home.  I kept $50.00 fifty Dollars out of 2,00.00.  we don’t get One hundred Dollar Bounty.  I guess Henry will come home now & John too.  I will be so glad if they come home wont you.  Peter I had no chance to get you a knife yet.

               You need not answer this letter.

               So good Bye.

               Adam Bentz

               Only $800.00 for about one Months Soldering

Seventeenth Letter February 24, 1876

Plants Ohio Feb24th/76

Henry Kidderli

Washington DC

Dear Sir

You will no doubt be surprised in receiving a few lines from an old friend of your Camp in the late War, and I hope you have not forgotten me,  As I wish you to fill out this Blank Certificate for me to the best of your Knowledge.

               If you have forgotten me I will state some things that will put you in mind of me.

               You recollect at the Battle of Winchester on the 24^th day of July 1864 that I was wounded in the left side between 7^th & 8^th Ribs, and I suppose you recollect that you sent my Discriptive List to Chester Hospital near Philadelphia.  I do not know whether you recollect of the Veins being bursted in my right leg of which unables me from Traveling but a short distance at a time & the wound in left side affects from work a great deal.  The Veins bursted in my Leg on the Raid from Lynchburg.  Enclosed find 50 cts for fees to be Sworn to then to send Certificate to me.

               Please send as soon as possible.  John Hess & family are & send their regards.

               Hoping you will do the favor for me which I request.  You will Oblige.  Accept my wishes for your future welfare.

               Yours Respectfully

                              Adam Bentz

                              Plants PO

                              Meigs Co.

Ohio

To Capt H Kidderli

               Late Capt Camp H

                              5^th Regt Va V Inf

PS The Wound in my side disables me from doing but little work.

               ABentz

Eighteenth Letter February 22, 1866

Mount Vernon, Indiana 1866

               February the 22

Dear Cousin

I seat my self to inform you that I am well at present and hope you are the same.  I received yours on the 20^th of the month and was pleased to hear from you.  I was so glad to get your Photograph.  I think it is nice you are good looking man if that looks like you Addam.  I wish I had been there.  I would knock off your hat and that segar out of your mouth you art to have had another segar.  I cant rite a very long letter for I don’t know what to rite.  Addam you must come down here and get acquainted with some of the ladies in posey some of the ladies are as pretty ladies as ever wore a dress, and the boy her turn to sugar and you know that they are sweet Addam.  I haven’t got any of my Photograph at present but when I get my picture taking I will send it to you.  Did you get Valentine I didn’t get any this year you must rite and let me kno whether Smith Hester is up there or where he is Pa is as busy as a bee getting out logs for the saw mill he is a going to have 100 hundred logs sawed up for lumber this spring we live close to Blacks Meeting house and tolerable close to a school there is a protracted meeting begins tonight and will last one week if nothing happens the Welbern School house is about two miles from here Charley is ma’s baby and he is three years old and he is as pretty as at Pink Pa hant shelled his corn yet he has to shell and sack his corn and deliver it on the Bank Pa put most of his ground in wheat this year he has clover and grass sown we have tolerable good orchard we have got a nice young orchard the trees bore some last year Addam you must rite soon and rite a letter as long as your mothers close line this paper has got the yellow ganders that is what makes it so bad tell cousin Petter to rite some and then I will rite to him I am great had to receive letters and send letters it does me more good to get a letter than to eat sugar no more at present but remain your affectionate Cousin until death.

               Mr Addam Bentz

                                             When this you see

                                             Remember me

                              Mahala A Justice

Telll aunt Mary that Mother will

rite to her before long and aunt

Sallie to Father and mother

went to the sale today

miss m a Justice is my name

And single is my life

Mahala A Justice Ind

Adam Bentz Civil War Letters 11-14; Second Battle of Kernston

These are letters that Adam Bentz (1842-1886), a Union Civil War Soldier from Meigs County, Ohio, wrote or received in the Civil War era.  Reading them in succession from 1 to 18 gives an interesting story.  William W. Bentz (1913-2001), Adam’s great nephew and my Dad, found these letters in the family Bible of Adam’s parents, Michael (1815-1864) and Mary Harpold (1823-1912) Bentz.  Emma Bentz Hayman (1854-1934) and Matilda Bentz (1857-1944), Adam’s sisters, lived together in Syracuse, Ohio and had custody of the Bible for many years.

Eleventh Letter July 24, 1864

Camp at Winchester July 24, 1864

Dear Sister

               This is the first chance I have had to make a scratch with a Pen since I left Home. I met our Regt at Martinsburg Va, the Regt was just ready to march and to head off these Rebels that were into Maryland but our Brigade was a little too late but the 2d  Brigade had a pretty good fight with them at Snickers Ferry, they took 4 Pieces on Cannon & about 200 Prisoners but now we have been missing them ever since we started after them I thought we would have a fight with them yesterday but we had good luck & didn’t have any fight at all I guess we will have a little rest when the Rebels get out of this part of the Country.  I think we shall either go to Harpers Ferry or to Mankinsburgh to rest.  This is a right pretty Place it is a wealthy one.  There are a great many union People in it.   Em I want you to send me them Post Stamps that I forgot to take from Home; & tell Ana that I cannot find John & I forgot that mans name in the 23d she told me, let me know what his name is then I will try to find out where he is.  I wish I was out of this you cant imagine how happy I would be but anyhow the 11^th of September we will be discharged or perhaps sooner.  I don’t know of anything of importance to write at this time so I will close hoping to hear from you soon as you read this letter without fail.  Give my Respects to all enquiring Friends & accept the same from your Affectionate Brother.

                              Adam Bentz

                              To Emma Bentz

PS We have not any mail since I left Pomeroy & I have not heard from Henry yet but I will write to him today.   Adam Bentz

Address

               Adam Bentz

               Camp H 5^th Regt Va Volls Infantry

               1^st Brigade 2d Division

               Winchester Va

NB

The Boys area all well Bill Barnes too  Frank is not here yet.

Wikipedia:  Second Battle of Kernston  July 24, 1864

The Second Battle of Kernstown was fought on July 24, 1864, at Kernstown, Virginia, outside Winchester, Virginia, as part of the Valley Campaigns of 1864 in the American Civil War.  The confederate Army of the Valley under Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early soundly defeated the Union Army of West Virginia under Brig. Gen. George Crook and drove it from the Shenandoah Valley back over the Potomac River into Maryland. As a result, Early was able to launch the Confederacy's last major raid into northern territory, attacking the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Maryland and West Virginia and burning Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in retaliation for the burning of some civilian houses and farms earlier in the campaign.

Twelfth Letter July 28, 1864

General Hospital

               Frederick City Md

               July 28, 1864

Dear Affectionate Parents Brothers Sisters

               I have a little sad news to write you today, but you must not feel uneasy about me for I’m get well against my time is out I got a very severe wound at the Battle of Winchester on the 24^th day of July 1864 by a Carbine Ball.  I was shot in the Left Side, it pains me about 3 times a day & you cannot immajine what pain I have with it, but I am very thankful that it is no worse than it is.  If it had went ½ inch deeper in I would not have lived this long.  I walked 9 miles after I was wounded.  I keep up with my Company & they took good care of me while I was with them.  I was then put into an Ambulants & rode to Harpers Ferry then taken into the Cars & landed here last night but I expect we shall be moved to Baltimore this Evening or tomorrow. So you need not write me until I write again. We got a good whipping at Winchester this time there was a good many wounded left on the field & a good many of our men taken Prisoners our Company was badly cut up.  The reason they whipped us was they flanked us in the start & had a great many more men than we had.  Our force is now laying at Harpers Ferry but the Rebs wont come there.  If I can get a Furlough I will come home.  The Doctors are amputating the limbs today.  We have got new clothes from the Sanitary Commission.  Give my Respects to Ellen Riggs & Family & Mrs Faller & all enquiring Friends & accept the same from your Affectionate Son.

                                             Adam Bentz

                              To          Mary Bentz

So good Bye.  I will write often & you must do the same.

                                             Adam Bentz

Thirteenth Letter August 2d 1864

Baltimore Md Patterson Park

               August the 2d /64

Dear Mother

               I cannot write very much this time as I am quite unwell & my Side Pains me bad for the past 2 Days, but I hope & trust that these few lines will find you well when they come to hand.  Mother I & Wm Barnes got here last Night we left Frederick City yesterday about 2 Oclock.  I have made applications for a Furlough but the Doctor thinks I wont get it signed.  He says it would be better for me to stay here until next Sept 1th then my time would be out then they would me to Wheeling then get Discharged.  Val Savage is here tell his folks that he is well, excepting his wound in his foot.

               Mother I want you to send me Five Dollars $5.00 as I have no money to get any Paper & Envelopes & Post Stamps & I cant altogether eat the Victuals they have here.  I have had the Diarhe ever since I was wounded You would know if you was to see me now.  Give my Respects to all enquiring friends & to all the Family.  Adam Bentz to Mary Bentz

Direct your letters as follows

               Adam Bentz

               US General Hospital

               Baltimore Md

               Patterson Park

Fourteenth Letter August 17^th 1864

               Chester Hospital

                              Delaware Co Pa

                                             August 17^th 1864

Dear Mother

               I came to this place last Night & it is a fine place to stay at.  My wound is getting some better it does not Pain me so bad as it did I think it will be very near well against I get Home. I wish I was at home now.  I would be more satisfied.  I have not received any letters from you since I got wounded.  If you have sent me any money I will get it for it will be forwarded to me.  I expect to start for Pittsburgh thence to Wheeling in about 10 Days.  I have only 20 Days to serve yet.  You need not answer this letter.  Give my respects to all enquiring friends.  Wm Barnes has a pretty bad Arm.  Him & I sleeps in one ward.

               So nothing more at this time & good bye if I get to Wheeling I will write.  I guess Henry has got home by this time.  Tell him for Godsake not to reinlist until I come home

                              Adam Bentz

                              To Mary Bentz

I am 15 miles from Philladelphia Pa

Adam Bentz Civil War Letters 5-10; Battle of Lynchburgh

These are letters that Adam Bentz (1842-1886), a Union Civil War Soldier from Meigs County, Ohio, wrote or received in the Civil War era.  Reading them in succession from 1 to 18 gives an interesting story.  William W. Bentz (1913-2001), Adam’s great nephew and my Dad, found these letters in the family Bible of Adam’s parents, Michael (1815-1864) and Mary Harpold (1823-1912) Bentz.  Emma Bentz Hayman (1854-1934) and Matilda Bentz (1857-1944), Adam’s sisters, lived together in Syracuse, Ohio and had custody of the Bible for many years.

Fifth Letter February the 7, 1864

Dear Nephew  I seat myself this afternoon to answer your most kind and welcome letter it us all well at present I was glad to hear that you got my picture but you ought to always get the scrubbingrag ready when you get a letter from me for it always has nonsense­­ in it I would have answered your letter before now but it had to wait until I seen Spence to know where to direct letters to the boys it is La Grand Oragon there is where Henry Harpold is and Henry Hester and Josh was tending a farm somewhere else but he has gone to the two henrys I guess they aint doing much vint is a going to leave before long with his wife for Illinois and Spencers Widow run off the other day and they don’t know where he went down the river they are very unruly boys Adam don’t get married until you have a place to take your wife to and let them secesh gals alone for they might make you sorry before a week I wish you could have been here this winter to had fun I would like to know how it comes that they can keep you until September they cant do it for you only enlisted for 3 years and they cant keep you any longer it is just their own doings and I think they ought to let you free when your time is out but obey all commands and live in hopes of better day a coming when you will be free from this bad war and Adam try to live a good boy, that if you should die before you get released that we will meet in a better world where wars can never come I want to see your sweet picture so bad that I cant hardly wait until I get it your grandma and pa are as well as common and they send their best love and kind wishes to you  georges wife is sick with the consumption I guess it is but she is little better now ok

 Adam if I could only see you it would do me lots more of good than to be writing but  I thank God that we can write to one another it is a little satisfaction I wish you was here tonight to tell me more yarns but I would get the scrubbingrag ready so I would not have to go and get it when I needed it you said you just finished a hearty breakfast of coffee and bread and meat I am glad you have enough of that but Adam I would freely eat what you have to eat until your time is out if I only could so than you to not have plenty all the time Calirsa got you letter Thursday and he is agoing to answer it Barbara Ann McDade AB

Sixth Letter March 6^th 1864

Ganley Bridge West Va

March 6^th 1864

Dear Father

I now seat myself this morning to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present & hope when these few lines come to hand they will find you the same.   I have nothing very interesting to write.  But the Captain of our Company went home a few days ago and sent by him a little small box with a letter in it and a little Bead worked pocket which I want Emma to keep until I come home if the Captain has not brought it up to you yet you can send Peter down after it, and before the Captain comes back you can give him a quart bottle of good Whiskey to bring to me for he has his Trunk with & he can bring it very handy.  We will get paid off in a few days about the 12^th or 15^th inst I cannot say when I will come perhaps not before I am Discharged.  You can send a letter also by Capt Pinderly, so nothing more at present.   I send my love to Ma & all the children.

               Your Affectionate Son

                              Adam Bentz

               To M Bentz

 Seventh Letter April 30^th 1864

Ganley Bridge West Va April 30^th /64

Dear Father and Mother Brother and Sisters

I again seat myself to write you a few lines to inform you that I am well at present time and hoping when they come to hand they will find you all well and doing well.  George Holland & George Johnson is going to start for home tomorrow that is the reason that I write this letter and another thing is that perhaps I wont get the chance to write again for sometime.  We have orders to march in the morning our destination is unknown, but anyhow this is the start of the Campaign.  The general opinion is that we will go to Doublin Depot to get possession of the R Road there.  I am not allowed to state how many Troops there are in the Valley but I can assure there is plenty to give the Rebs a good (turn) Supper or Dinner.  We were within 17 miles of Lewisburgh last week a repairing the Roads and opening the Blockades.  We are all busy getting everything ready for the march.  There is nothing new a going on here.  Only about the place we are bound for.  It has been 4 months since we have been paid  off.  But now I think we will not be Paid until our time is up and I don’t care then I wont have the pleasure of spending it out here where everything is so dear.  Butter is 30cts per lb Eggs 20cts per doz Coffee 50 cts Pork 10 cts Bacon 15 cts.  Calicos 40 cts to 50 cts per yd.  the 13^th Va Inf is on its way up here also the 23d.  Our time is up the 14^th of Sept. then I will be home for certain.  I think I could have gotten a furlough if I had tried but my time is so short that I didn’t care.  Our Captain says that we will come back here but when he cant say. I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will close.  Give my Respects to all enquiring Friends and accept the same yourselves.

I Remain Your Affectionate Son

               Adam Bentz

  To

               Mary Bentz

PS you need not write for about a week.

               Address

                              Adam Bentz

                              Camp H 5 Regt Va Voll Inf

                              Ganley Bridge West Va

Eighth Letter June 13^th 1864

Camp at Lexington Va June 13^th /64

Dear Brother

               I will write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well at this present & hoping when they come to hand they may find you all well and doing well. 

               Well I am still right side up with care.  To Day our men captured 8 Canal Boats with everything in them. General Averell is out today fighting old Imboden there is a rumor in camp that our men took Lynchburgh if not we have already surrounded it & will soon close in on it.

               I guess we will leave this place in a day or two.  We made the Rebs get out of this Place we also captured all their Cannon.  Yesterday we burnt up the Military Institute & Govenor Tetchers House. I also went today and seen where Gen Jackson was buried.  There is a few Univr People in Town.  It is a very nice town.  Well I have nothing more to write so I will close hoping to hear from you soon.  Peter I want you to write to me as soon as you read this for I am anxious to hear from home.  You must put a Stamp in every letter you write so I can send it back to you.

                              Adam Bentz

                              Camp H 5^th Regt Va Volls Infantry

                              1^st Brigade 2 Division 8 Army Corps

                              Via Clarksburgh West Va

                              Direct as it is written above

                              Adam Bentz to Peter Bentz

                              3 month from tomorrow my time is out

                              Tell Frank Hollands mother that he is well & right side up

Wikipedia:  Battle of Lynchburg

Background

During the Civil War, Lynchburg was used as a supply and hospital center. It was also a connection in the railroad that supplied the Confederate States Army. It was for this reason that Hunter determined to capture it. In accordance with a plan formulated by Brig. Gen. William W. Averell, the infantry divisions of Brigadier Generals George Crook and Jeremiah C. Sullivan proceeded south from Staunton on June 10 alongside Averell's cavalry division.

However, Hunter had two major problems. He was supposed to receive help from Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan; who never showed up because he had suffered a major setback at the Battle of Trevilian Station and was forced to retreat to an area around Richmond and Petersburg. The other, and perhaps most devastating, issue was that Hunter's supply lines were being harassed by the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, under Lt. Col. John S. Mosby. Between May 20 and June 17, only one supply wagon had reached Hunter.

At Lexington on June 11, Hunter fought with Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. John McCausland, who withdrew to Buchanan. Hunter ordered Col. Alfred N. Duffié to join him in Lexington with his cavalry division. While waiting, Hunter burned Virginia Military Institute and the home of John Letcher, former Governor of Virginia. After being joined by Duffié on June 13, Hunter sent Averell to drive McCausland out of Buchanan and capture the bridge there across the James River, but McCausland burned the bridge and fled the town. Hunter joined Averell in Buchanan the following day before advancing via the road between the Peaks of Otter on June 15. His cavalry occupied Liberty that evening.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge sent Brig. Gen. John D. Imboden and his cavalry to join McCausland. Breckinridge arrived in Lynchburg the next day. Maj. Gen. Daniel Harvey Hill and Brig. Gen. Harry T. Hays constructed a defense line in the hills just southwest of the city. That afternoon, McCausland fell back to New London and skirmished with Averell's cavalry which pursued him. The Union launched another attack on McCausland and Imboden that evening. The Confederates retreated from New London.

Battle

Early arrived in Lynchburg at one o'clock on June 17, having been sent by General Robert E. Lee. Three hours later, Averell encountered McCausland's and Imboden's dismounted cavalry entrenched at the Quaker Meeting House, four miles from the city. The Confederates were driven back after Col. Carr B. White's brigade moved in to support Averell. Two brigades of Major General Stephen Dodson Ramseur's division occupied the area around a redoubt two miles from the city and hindered the Union advance.

Hunter made Sandusky his headquarters and planned the attack on Early's defenses. That night, trains could be heard moving up and down the tracks. Also, various instruments such as bugles and drums were heard by Hunter's troops. Even the people of Lynchburg made noise by having bands play and citizens scream. Their goal was to make the Confederate army seem larger than it really was.

On June 18, Major Generals Arnold Elzey and Robert Ransom, Jr. arrived from the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Elzey assumed command of Breckinridge's infantry and dismounted cavalry while Ransom superseded Imboden as commander of the mounted cavalry. Early elected to remain defensive and wait for the rest of the Second Corps to arrive. The redoubt now known as Fort Early was at the center of the Confederate line, with Maj. Gen. John Brown Gordon's division on the left and Brig. Gen. William G. Lewis's brigade on the right. McCausland commanded the right flank, which included a redoubt, and Elzey's command defended the area between it and Lewis' brigade. Col. Scott Shipp's VMI cadets were placed in reserve at Spring Hill Cemetery while the inner defenses were occupied by the Confederate Home Guard.

Hunter, still not convinced that Lee had sent reinforcements to Lynchburg, deployed Sullivan's and Crook's divisions in front of the Confederate center, with Averell in reserve, and sent an order to Duffié to attack the Confederate right. Reconnoitering the line in an effort to find a weak spot to push his infantry through, Hunter ruled out a direct attack on the redoubts, for they appeared too strong. He allowed Lt. Col. Henry A. du Pont to deploy his thirty-two cannons. Crook was sent to flank the Confederate left, but marched a few miles before finding it impracticable. The Confederates attacked Sullivan and du Pont, who managed to hold them at bay until Crook returned. The Confederates fell back after a half hour of fighting, but spent the next hour and twenty minutes attempting to break through the gap between Sullivan and Duffié before withdrawing to their earthworks. A regiment of Col. Rutherford B. Hayes' brigade pursued them but were beaten back.

Meanwhile, McCausland succeeded in holding off Duffié's assaults. As ammunition ran short, both Hunter and Duffié became convinced that they were outnumbered. Early then prepared to begin an attack of his own, but Hunter retreated at nightfall.

Aftermath

Early's army moved sixty miles in three days. At that point, Early called off the pursuit and awaited for Hunter to make a move. Hunter decided to move across the Shenandoah Valley and into West Virginia.

The Battle of Lynchburg proved to be quite helpful in the Confederates' fight against the Union. Hunter's retreat made it possible for Early to freely move up the Shenandoah Valley. Early's army advanced up through Maryland and even made it as far as Washington, D.C.

Ninth Letter June 30, 1864

Camp Piatt West Va

June 30^th /64

Dear Parents

               Once my arrival is made to this Camp and thank the good man for it.  I got here last Evening safe.  I was perfectly played out.  I never was on such a Raid as this one in my life, nor do I want to go another one as long as I am in the Service.  I cannot write this time for I am so weak that I cannot write nor walk either.  Wm Llewellyn was wounded in the fight at Lynchburgh he is either left at Liberty or has been brought to Charleston Va there was of wounded & one missing out of our Camp army.  I got through the battle it was a hard Battle and loss is about 1000 killed & missing & starved to death on the retreat.  I will tell you more about it when I come Home that will be in 60 days.  I cant tell how long we will stay here we will be Paid off in a few Days the Paymaster is here now at Charleston.  Tell Frank Hollands mother that he is well & right side up.   I have not seen Henry McDade yet but expect to in a short time.  I hope these few lines will find you all well when they come to hand.  Give my best Respects to all enquiring Friends; let GrandPa know that I am well. So good bye.

I want you to write soon as you get this Letter.  I had a notion to Telegraph to you this morning.

               Adam Bentz

To

               Mary Bentz

Direct Letters

To          Adam Bentz

1st Brigade 2d Division

8^th Army Corps

Camp H 5^th Regt Va Voll Inf

Charleston West Va

PS Dont forget to write right for we may have to leave soon AB

Tenth Letter July 1864 (Letter Not Dated)

Dear Mother I cannot write much for I am so tired & weak from the march to Lynchburg & back to Knawha & glad to get through the fight safe it was a fmithy hard one.  Our Regt & the 116^th Ohio Charged over the Enemy breast works while they poured their grape & canister in to us who could expect to come out of such a fight going right up the mouth of a cannon little did I think that Adam Bentz would get out safe.  I wish I now then to talk with you a while but still writing is better than nothing at all  I got your letter dated June 13^th that was the first letter I got from you for over two months I had a very few fourth of July.  Tell Pa I don’t think there is very much jinsang up here.  I cannot find out where John is. Uncle Henry he is going to start home today.  I seen Henry Mcdade yesterday he is still well & hearty.  You need not be uneasy about me for I never expect to be in another Battle my time will out in 60 Days then I am coming home.  I have 6 months Pay coming to me I guess we will get Paid off this week.  I will save all the money I can.  Perhaps we may not get Paid until our time is out some of the boys will be discharged this Month.  I have no stamps or I would put one on this letter.  I am glad Pa sold the House Henry will be home about the same time as I will then we will have a jolly time together  I will get my Photo taken & send it to Emma when I get paid off.

               Adam Bentz

To

               Mary Bentz

Direct Letters

To          Adam Bentz

Camp H 5^th Regt V Volls Inf

Charleston West Va

Give my respects to all