Hillory Shifflet Letters

Compiled by Kate Forster
forsterk@edmonds.wednet.edu

This is the first in a series of letters written by Hillory Shifflet to his wife, Jemima Cox, the daughter of Jesse and Mary (Wagle) Cox. Hillory was born on 9 January 1823 in Madison County, Kentucky. Hillory and Jemima married on June 27, 1843 and had six known children: Mary E. b. 1846, Fanny E. b. 10 Apr 1851, Patsy Ann b. 7 May 1854, Christopher b. 1848, Maria Josephine b. May 1857, and John Breckinridge b. 11 Mar 1861. The family is listed on the 1850 Madison County, KY census.

Hillory served with the Infantry, Company C, 1st Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. Fourteen of his letters have been preserved, spanning a time period from December 13, 1861 to November 22, 1863. They will appear on these pages at a rate of approximately one each week until all have been posted.

Stationery with a shield of stars and stripes. An eagle stands atop the shield, wings spread. A ribbon below him reads "Liberty or Death"

December the 13th, 1861
Camp McCook, Heart County, KY

Dear Wife,

I take my pen in hand to let you no that I am well at presant, hopen that when these few lines comes to your hand tha will find you all well. I receaved your letter the 11th. Hit give me greate satisfaction to her from you onse more that you was all well but Johney and was sorry to her that he was not well but when I her again I hope he will be well. I got pade today, twenty three dollars, and I will send you all I can spar. I will have to keep some for I have needed some along time. We will be pade again the first day of next month. I will get twenty six dollars and if I live I will bring hit home. I want you to do the best you can tell I come home if I ever do. We expect a fight everyday but we want to be the first in hit. Thais six thousand to fight. before we do we are in a vary good place now. I git a plenty to eat now but we didn't have much awhile back. I want to see you and the children mity bad but doo the best you can and I will. I cant right much, I hant got time, hit is a bissy day today so I will to quit. Right as quick as you git this letter. Direct your letter first Regiment of Ohio in care of Capt. Thruston, Camp McCook, Heart Co. Ky.

I remain your dear husband untell death

Hillory Shifflet

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