The following two letters were written during the Civil War by D.W. Ross, father of Mrs. J. B. Little of Abbot, and Grandfather of W. A. Little, H. M. Little and other children of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Little.

The first letter was written by Mr. Ross to his wife, who lived in Tennessee at the time and the other to one of his neighbors.

Todd Barracks, Columbus, Ohio
June 1st. A.D. 1865

Affectionate wife and children: I am this day favored with an opportunity of writing to you once more to inform you that I am not well, though I am as well as I have been for a long time. I am up and about but don't do any duty nor haven't done any in a good while. I hope that these few lines may come safely to your hands and find you and family all well. I have not heard from you in twelve months. I have seen a heap of trouble about you all and particular about Moses and John for fear the Rebels had conscripted hem but I hope to reach home before long and to find you all these and well with something to eat and wear.

Penny, I have seen more trouble for the last two years than I every saw in my life before. I have been to St. Louis, Mo., Illinois, Ohio, Maryland., Pennsylvania, New Jersey, round Lake Erie, New York, Connecticut, New Haven Harbor ant at Washington and Harpers' Ferry, Indiana and a number of cities too tedious to mention. But I hope the time is not far distant when I will get out of this and be permitted to come home.

Penny, I want you to keep up your courage and hope for the beter and not for the worst. So try to be brave and pass off the time the best you can for I think the time will not be long before time to come when I can set at my own table with my dear wife and children around it once more. I feel like it would be more satisfaction to me to be permitted to sit under my own roof with my wife and littel children around me than anything on earth. So Penny, you and the children do the best you can and try to make something to eat. I am sorry I can't send you the money but it is just as it is and I can't help it, so keep your spirit up and bear your troubles with all the patience you can. I f you get this letter I want you to write soon and direct your letter to Todd Barracks, Columbus, Ohio, Co. F., 22nd Regiment, V. R. C.

So I will close by saying be of good faith. I remain your ever loving husband and father until death, so farewell to you all.

A few lines to Edmond Gawf, Esq. Mr. Gawf, Dear Friend: I take the privilege of writing a few lines to let you know I have not forgotten you yet nor none of the rest of my neighbors, I hope to see you all again. I feel that I could meet you all with the best of feelings. I don't feel like I had faught against any union neighbor that I have in the world and if they have anything against me I hope they will forgive me, but as to "seseah" I have nothing to say and it is owing to how they conduct themselves whether I will or not. I don't hear from my old 7th Tennessee Regiment since last May, 1864. They were at Andersonville, Ga., then but I hope my neighbors that were in that regiment have gotten home before now. Mr. Gawf, I was with Thomas W. Gawf before he died. He bore his sickness very patiently. He had a desire to go home, but here was no chance. I tried to send him to Union City after he died but could do nothing. I asked him if he had a hope that he would be better off after death and he said he had. He died in his right mind and went off just as though he had gone to sleep. I must close for I am very weak and trembly. I hope that these lines may find you and family well. Write soon. Please take this over to my house and read it to my wife and children and you will much oblige your friend. Farewell,
D. W. Ross to Edmond Gawf., Esq.

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