Lieutenant John Nilson in Company G of the 25^th Indiana Infantry a resident of Medora, Indiana writes a 3 page letter, mostly in ink, on board the Steamer Commercial as he goes down the Mississippi River.  Nilson writes the letter on January 30^th, 1864 and gives a nice description of his trip. 

                                                                                                            On board Steamer Commercial Miss. River 
                                                                                                                                                                Jan. 30^th, 1864

Dear Wife,

           We are now on our way down stream on the great father of waters, we started
from Memphis 9 o’clock a.m. this morning.  We were very busy all day yesterday
loading the boat we came aboard night before last, Gen. Veatches is on this boat with
us.  This makes our boat the flagship - which takes the advance of the fleet, don’t know
whether any more than Gen. Veatches Division is going down or not.  I got your letter
on the 20^th also one written a few days previous to that I was very sorry to hear of
your affliction.  You should be careful who you select for a Dr.  Certainly no Dr. would
make such a blunder in bleeding your arm.  I tried very hard to get to go home, but
failed, if we had of been three days sooner our Regt. would of been in the veteran
service and soon on its way home for two or three months on furlough and to recruit. 
I’m feeling well satisfied tho it would not protract our time over three months longer
agreed to go into it.  We were to get clear of this trip.  It is in all probability best as it
is, it may not be near so trying on us as we anticipate.  I am now in room No. 6.  We
are about 15 miles below Memphis.  I was very busy for the last few days have not
had time to write any one.  This letter will probably be started back from Helena,
Ark. where we are going I know not.  We may go to Vicksburg then to Mobile by land
or up Red River into Texas.  I will try and write to frequently.  Some of the boys said
they heard Gen. Veatch say that we would not be gone over six or seven weeks.  I
want you and Jane to write to me often.  I want Jane to be sure to stay with you until
I return home.  I want her to use economy you will doubtless have to put up with a
great many inconviences but you and all of us should lay aside the comforts of life to
a considerable extent while we are struggling to suppress this wicked rebellion.  If
you could see how we have been living for the last 10 weeks, your suffering in
sickness are bad enough but otherwise it is nothing to compare with what we have
had to endure. 

When I write this I do not mean home more than others.  The soldier has many
hardships to put up that the people of the north never think of.  When the soldier feels
that he is fighting in just cause, he don’t forget the sympathies of the people at home,
if they are lost he feels that his interest is gone, it is too often the case that the
fashionably study appearance more than the good of the country.  We ought all to
bear our part in the hardships of suppressing this wicked rebellion, too many people
seek easier pleasure instead of how to endure hardships.  Hiram was left to hunt up
some of the boys that were scattered around through Memphis.  He is probably on
another boat by this time.  I got a letter from him from home of date 25^th.  I got
immediately after the boat started.  Whenever you’re not able to write don’t let Jane
forget me.  I want to hear from you at least once a week.  We were paid off a few days
ago.  I paid Francis Goering $61.00 on that $100, note don’t forget this.  In case
anything should happen me so that I don’t get home, I now only own him $39.  There
must be one dollar kept back for the Expense of expressing his money home the rest
I pay on the money you got.  This would leave $38 due him.  I have got a little left to
by something to eat. 

                                                    From your affectionate husband,

                                                John Nilson G. 25^th Ind.

                On the boat down the Mississippi River

A nice letter for the Indiana or riverboat collector!

#HB47 - Price $95