1862 May 26 Camp Butler, Ills

Camp Butler, Ills.
May 26th, 1862

Dear Mother,
I hasten to
write you a few lines
to let you know that
I am well and that
I shall send some money
to the Express Office at
Lanark.  It will be at that
place in a few days.
You will need some
money (one or two dollars)
to get it out of the office
I want you to pay Ranse
Baker two dollars and
a half for that team
and don't forget to do
so, Pay Uncle Lot[?] 4 dollars
and the remainder
use yourself to the
best advantage.  I saw
Patch at Mt. Carroll  He
said that he had those
Hathaway notes for collec-
tion. You better try not t
o be sued on them, yet
do as you please about
paying them now.
When I got to Mt Carroll
that day I found the
Orderly Seargeant there
to help me.  He and I
took Putnam last
Friday morning.  I was
at Fulton since I left
you and staied two days
I arrived in camp Sat
urday evening at dusk.
All goes well in camp.
We have got our horses

[page 3]
and saddles, I think
that we shall go Southward
soon, and do not
expect to see you again
until the war is over.
I shall send you my
money as I said and
you must make the best
of life's ills that you
can.  The boys are
having a great time
spending their money
They get rid of it in
all ways that you can
imagine. The news is not
of much importance-
I wrote to Em yesterday and will
write a note to Jane on next
page; so I will close for the
present.  With much love,
I am very truly your affectionate
Son, &c W. H. Redman

Catharine Redman

[page 4]
Dearest Jane,
Your brother
Hank is all-right. It is
just one week this morning
since you and I took the
parting hand, and I am
just as well now as I was
then.  I have good success
in taking Putnam; had to
fix those shots through
the floor, before he would
surrender the Fort
We have him here now
in the guard-house--
awaiting his Court mar
tial Bailey is well again
and the boys are all in
good spirits.   Have received
our pay, horses, Saddles
and so forth. we have
hopes now of leaving
this camp soon.
I want you to remember
me to all inquiring friends
and Jane do the best
you can until I see
you again--Now do write
soon and often I shall
do so. So Good bye-----
Your affectionately  &c.
W. H. Redman
P. J. Redman

William Henry Redman, Captain Co. C of the 12th Cavalry Regiment, Illinois Volunteers


MSS 7415