June 2, 1865 Washington, D.C.

The Last Letter, June 2, 1865
Letter addressed to Mrs. Levica Craig, Carrollton, MO. It was written on a letterhead which said: "United States Sanitary Commission" and it was postmarked Washington, D.C. No changes in the original grammar, punctuation, or spelling have been made. It is typed exactly as it was written.

June the 1, 1865...1, 1865.....1, 1865

My dear I must write a few lines to you to pass of the time as I have been expecting to start Northward any day. The time seems so long and the only way I can pass the time and good amusement is when I have the privilege of writing so I will now proceed as follows. Dear, my health is good and, dear, I hope and trust that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing for good health is the greatest blessing that ever was bestowed upon human life. Dear, it has been some time since I have heard from you but if I could only get to hear from you every week the time wouldn't seem long.

The weather is very warm but thank God our marching is ended. This time last year we was moving on the enemy through the heat and dust but now when we start on a campaign it will be homeward and would have started for home today but the President requested all business to cease for this is Thanksgiving Day. But, dear, we will start for home soon. I am sure of this fact.

A few days ago I went to see the capital of the United States. I went through the whole building. I once thought I had seen the whole world but I had never seen the cornerstone until I visited this building. Would you believe if I would tell you it was made out of marble stone and it covers 5 acres of land. I also was in the President's mansion. I was also in the patent office. There I saw George Washington and his army equipment, his sword, and his messbox, his saddle, and his tents.

Dear, I will tell you all about it when I come home. The doors of those buildings has never been open until we came here. It has been open for us soldiers and no one is allowed to visit the Capitol - only soldiers and it is a sight to behold.

Dear, I will send you 5 dollars in this letter as I have borrowed it for that purpose. Maybe it will do you a little good. Dear, I am so sorry that I can't sent you more but, dear, when I get it now it will all be in one pile. It will be upwards of four hundred dollars and it is said that we will draw one hundred and 50 dollars more according to the War Department so if that should be the case I will be able to go to housekeeping again.

Since the year of 1864 from Larkinsville, Alabama in the month of March I drew the last of my pay and I have only spent fifteen dollars in that length of time. There is 18 months pay due to me today. But it is not the pay I am looking for now it is that sweel little cottage home and loved little family where I was so happy and free but thank God that day is coming again and is now almost at hand.

Oh, my dear, I often think of the good messes that I will get when I come home. So dear, I will close for the present hoping this will find you all well.

(Signed) William Craig to my dear beloved companion

[ Note:  I am the great-granddaughter of William Samuel Craig.   These letters from the Civil War were in the possession of his grandson, Jerry Craig, and they were loaned to me during a visit to his home in Norborne, Missouri. All of these letters were difficult to "translate" from the decorative script-writing; some have areas of blanks which were impossible to decipher.  Each letter retains some of its original spelling and grammar; some punctuation has been added for clarity; paragraphs have been created for easier reading. Where a word or phrase could not be read, "[--unreadable--]" is inserted; some words, such as places and names, may have "[Sherman]" immediately following. ---Joyce Kohl ]