Dear Sister - A Letter from Adolphus Conaway

Here's an historical letter from our family archive. Adolphus Conaway, my second great grandfather on my mom's side grew up in Knox County, Ohio, and was 20 years old when he wrote this letter. He enlisted in the Civil War two years later, on May 14, 1864. (Note that I corrected the spelling in this letter many years ago, before I fully appreciated the value of an exact transcription.)

Ashgrove, Iroquois Co., Ill.

September 29, [18]62

Dear Sister,

I take my pen in hand to drop a line to let you know that I am well and have been ever since we started. I never felt better in my life. I have gained about fifteen pounds since I left Ohio. We reached here about the sixth of September. I got a letter from father yesterday. He said they was all well and says he is coming out to see me as soon as he gets his corn husked. I like this part of Illinois very well. They have such good water here and good land too. It is only a half mile to timber from my boarding place. I am boarding with Mr. McCray. We are going to move the sheep up to an area this week about fifteen miles from here. I have wrote to you twice since I have started I wrote to New Guilford. And to Utica. Oh Tama I was awful homesick but I have got over it. The frost killed the corn here in August. And we have had the hard frost since we got here. I have not got my clothes yet. I wrote about a week after before we got here and twice since we got here. Mr. Long got a letter from Mr. Connard. He said he had not heard from any of us since we started. And I have wrote four or five times since we started. I don't know what is the reason he does not get my letters. I do not know where to write to you but I will write to Circleville to Mr. Calhoun. You may write to Ashgrove post And I will have the letter forwarded on to wherever we go to. I have written about fifteen letters since I got here and have only got two. And you do not know how glad I was to hear from the old Buckeye state. Now Tama I want you to write as soon as you get this letter. I would like to hear from you. I want you to tell me how Grandpop Horn’s folks are. I have wrote twice to grandpop, you three times and have got no answer. I wrote to Wash Houck and to Uncle Addam and to Mr. Connards folks and have not got any answer. I have a fine time herding sheep as it is easy work. I have a very good dog to help me. I will be glad if you sent them socks. I will pay for them. Do write soon. This is wrote in a hurry and so much noise.

A. Conaway

Notes:
"Tama" was Phytama Conaway, who married John Heilman. She was three years younger than Adolphus. 

"Wash" Houck was Adolphus's first cousin, Washington Houck, the son of Margaret (Horn) Houck and William Houck.

Uncle Addam was probably Adam Scott, who married Arzina Horn, one of Adolphus's aunts on his mother's side.