Three Civil War Letters from William W. Otto 88th Pennsylvania Infantry.

Three Civil War Letters from William W. Otto  88th Pennsylvania Infantry.
 
Transcription of the Civil War Letter
Alexandria Va July 
Dear Wife,
 
I take my pen in hand to let you know that I have been sick and from joining the Regiment. There are about twenty five of us that has been sent to the hospital. There are none of us very sick but we are all alone out with Long marching through the heat. It is almost too hot to lay shot through the middle of the day and at night it is cold enough to take on a blanket. But I am getting better. I think by Monday I shall be able to go back to the Regiment. There are 14,000 sick laying in this hospital & there are so many here that I will be glad to get away for they dont care no more for the sick than they for a lot of hogs.
 
I am in hopes the great Battle will be fought at Richmond. We all think that will end this war, for I dont think the rebs will ever fight any more after that comes off. Be in good health. I am all right yet. Tell Em[ma?] if or that many men have [gone?] to his Regt on last Sunday morning. Me thinks in a short time that I will be home with you in the winter and then I hope we may never part again until death separates us. Try and keep your Self as well as you can as you need for the winter. O wont I be glad to hear the word peace for then no person can think how glad I am to live. But I hope it wont be before we shall return to our homes.
 
This is all I have to say at this time. My Love to you and my dear Children. Tell them I am still in the land of the living. Give my best respects to all the neighbors. Tell them I am able to walk about. I have had the Rheumatism in my legs so bad that I could not follow the Regt or any marches.
From Your Husband
Wm. W. Otto
 
Letter two:
 
Cameron Light Guards, Camp near Ellsworth the Aug? 28 1862 Dear wife I have intended to write you my honey with An union But I ails not get to see him so I thin Camnack comes you will receive it an as my likeness Our Flag is still there. I should oppen it down But I aint like to it with any person Because it is not safe When you receive it go an as get your likeness Taken an as send it With Camnack We are all Well. I have left the Camp. I am stationed about 1½ miles from the rest of the Regt I have Been placed here By the Brigade General and by the Coln of the Regt I have the duty to perform that always took three men I am on my watchs as it I do my own cooking By taking this I get clear of all other duty. the men in our Regt are Well excepting about the 4th Willies Regt have about 50. here as on the sick list the Government forces more men By Exposure than gets Killed. this place near I am on By half past 7. in the Evening my duty is done Then I can go in the tent and stay untill morning and When I get cold I can warm myself But the men in Camp they have to Stand So many hours in the night. I have Been placed here for doing my duty as a good Soldier. should up as I seen Christy Griffy the other day I seen as you. the Satisfaction he gave me was that they Brought get along they Best they Could he Keeps an Old house here in Alexandria all the money he gets he give to her title Mr Guffy If I was her I would not a pect. as on him. for he is as honey as the dey is long. this is all I have to say at this time only my love to you and as the Children and I hope this war Will soon End up. then I Shall Be With you again now to love you as long as I live, My Best Respects to all Believe me to Be your Husband Mr. Wm. W. Otto
Charlottes W. Otto
 
Letter 3:
Nearly Eight Mon[th]s has now Elapsed since I took my departure from our much loved home and although I witness many strange sights and as there is much of my duty and daily transactions to Engage my thoughts yet I dare assure you my dear Wife that I Enjoy many fond recollections of your affectionate kindness and love. I am glad to inform you that all is well with me. My duty is promptly attended to and I Enjoy good health. Let this cheer you amid my absence.
I never knew what it was to love you. I love so dearly. Some one has remarked that he cannot properly estimate our invaluable Blessing untill we are deprived of them so it hath me now. My absence has taught me the worth of you. The most a home. Be a treasure to me and as life a Blank I have to meditate time in solitude. the many joys you have brought me— Blessing my pathway with flowers and Enabling my Soul to a just sense of the good in life the influence of your pure and gentle heart.
Oh that we may long live & spare us to Each other, treading the pathway of life with many an Obstacle. A short time more and I hope to Be with you once more. I have Enclosed in a letter and sent by Adams Express and am in about three months I shall draw as you know once the pay in a short time he will pay me in coming home as soon as in that next Battles which there is no doubt— But we now have the victory and then I no on my ale come Be careful of your money make the Best use of it you can which I know that you will this is all I have to say at this time only Loving my Best respects to all & giving them a share of my love to yourself and my Dear Children and Believe me to Be your Husband.
Wm. W. Otto
 
Note these are approximate transcriptions and can have errors.