Moses Carter Louthan, Tennessee 1860's

Per Fetters - The Civil War had Moses serving with the 41st Illinois Infantry from as early as July 1, 1861 through to the Vicksburg seige. On November 15, 1863, he ws transferred to the Invalid Corps and he died of "service connected illness" in the Benton Barracks near St. Louis on Feb.27, 1864. His name appears on a bronze tablet for the 41st IL Infantry, Company D, in the IL State Memorial at the Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, MS.

Moses Carter Louthan’s Civil War Letter



Memphis Tenn April 17th 1863



My Dear Brother and Sister

It is now about half past one o clock at night, and me being a sentinel on my post of Duty, my thoughts were about my friends that I left behind me maybe never to return to them again. My Dear friends, it is a sad thought, but my dear sister I hope and trust it may be our happy lot that we may live to see each others face to face on this earth, but if it is our lot to never meet on earth, let us live on this earth that we may meet in heaven, where there is no war no trouble no pain no enemy no more parting, but all all is love peace and happiness forever, I have nothing of much importance to right to you at present as there is no news allowed to pass up the river from Vicksburg at this time, only I am afraid there is a bloody battle going on there at this time, altho we have “a flying ???” in camp today that Vicksburg is in our possession, but for my part I won’t credit the report very much, but hope and trust it is so, we are now at the citty of memphis not much to do here, can’t tell how long we will stay here. Memphis is considerable of a town consisting of about 25,000 inhabitants but not a hansom citty by no means. Well I heare the relief coming, I will have to come to a close for the present to receive my relief guard. well my Dear friends I think I shall not rite any more To night, but will go to my quiet tent and snooze till Morning, and when I am relived from duty I will try and write you the balance, I will be relieved at nine o clock in the Morning, so farewell for to night to Morrow I will feel more like righting, yours truly M C Louthan

Well I this evening have taken my seat to try to finish my few lines to you. My health is about as it has been for the last twelve Months. I hope these few lines will find you all well and harty. I have not heard from you for some time. I got a letter this morning from John W. Louthan. He said the friends was well as far as knew of, he stated that he see Manerva a few days before he writen to me. I was glad to hear my family was well and harty, since I commenced righting this letter orders have come to our Regiment for us to be in readiness to March at a moments notice with two days rations in our haversack and three days rations in the waggon and one Blanket. this morning we got orders to appear with our Regiment at General Lammans headquarters to drill against the 53rd ILL Regiment but our Marching orders has knocked the drill in the head for to day. It is quite warm here today. The timber is all out in full leaf. The weather is Beautiful, a little too warm to drill very much. We drill about an hour every day. I will have to come to a close at the present as there is no news to be had that is of any importance. I will close by requesting an answer from you soon no more at present. I still remains your Brother till Death farewell Your truly

Moses C. Louthan
William T. Moore
and family and friends