One of Thomas W. Stephenson's letters to his wife, Elizabeth

Letter written by Thomas W. Stephenson to his wife, Elizabeth

Camp Chase March 4, 1864

Dear Elizabeth

        I take this pleasure of writing a few lines to you, I am well _______ joy _____ ____ verry well _____________________________of good hearted ___________ when we got to Columus their was 1000 prisoners there all standing at the depot all raged (ragged) and bare footed they were exchanged and going to their own states their is good deal of smallpox here at the hospital I am going to be vacinated I was in the state house and whent up in the cupolow their is 142 steps and I could see all over the city the state house is the prettys place ever I was in the floors is all marble red white and black. The cupolow is 70 feet high all flowered off nice their is the river sioto runs with in 3-1/2 miles of camp their is a bridge a cross it. any body that has soldiers close on can not get across with out a pass from headquarters I can get a cross when ever I want to and not cost a cent the bridge is guarded day and night
        this bridge is between camp and Columus we can go a fishing when ever we please
        I will send 2 rings one for Elizabeth the other for Mary A Piper [Elizabeth Piper Stephenson's sister] I will bring my letter to a close

        Direct to
        Thos. W. Stephenson
        Camp Chase
        Ohio

A special thanks to Martha Williams for contributing this information. Thomas W. Stephenson was her great great grandfather.