Dated “Battel field near Murfreesboro, Tenn./ January 5, 63”. From “J.S. Eyler” to “D. Casto Esq.” 4 pp., in pencil, on lined paper measuring 8.125 x 5.125”, with 3 cent stamped envelope, 3.5 x 5.5”, ink addressed to “David Casto Esq / Willshire / Van Wert Co. / Ohio.” Letter exhibit fold-marks and light foxing, else VG, as is the accompanying envelope, lightly soiled. This letter, written immediately after the Battle of Murfreesboro, reads as follows:

“Dr. (dear) sir, after a hard fought battle—and the loss of a great many lives on boath sides and arriving safe through myself, so I thought I would pen this few lines—well in the place would first state that we have had seven days fighting with the rebels they was well fortified hear [here]and fought well—they evacuated Murfreesboro on Saturday night—we will march for thare today—our forces have bin marching thare ever since yesterday morning—on last Wednesday the hardest days fight was that it was the lonest—9t commenced before daylight and lasted ‘til disk/dark and on New Years day they had fighting with the picket guards and on Friday morning they commenced on our left wing and the firing kept getting warmer until one o’clock when the rebels made a dash on our Brigade—they have five Brigades and we had one—they came so closely that we retreated back to our re-inforcement and then the tide changed—we commenced driving the rebels back and drove them out of thare entrenchments and captured four pieces of artillery ___ loss in our regiment is great—can’t tell correctly—the loss in our company was twelves killed wounded and missing—I will give a list of the killed was our Captain Wm Scott and Jesse Spark and Ruben Hamilton and amongst the wounded George Shafer and Solomon Sharp and the rest you are not acquainted with—the Willshire boys all escaped without being injured—I had three ball holes shot in my coat and pants—I must close for this time as we must get ready to march for Murfreesboro—I will write and give all the news as soon as we stop. Give my best respects to all of the friends –tell Willis that Clabe Work was left at Nashville—sick—Excuse handwriting as I am in a hurry and must go/ yours truly// Wright [write] soon—direct to Nashville—J.S. Eyler”

J.S. Eyler, aged 25, enlisted as a sergeant and was mustered in Co. “A”, 99^th Ohio Infantry , 8/25/1862, and later promoted to Quartermaster Sgt. and transferred to regimental field and staff. He was transferred to the 50^th Ohio, 12/31/1864. Date and method of discharge not given.

The 99^th Ohio was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and fought in all the major engagements of that army from Perryville, KY, 10/8/1862, through the Atlanta Campaign to the Battle of Nashville, 12/15-16-1864. After pursuing Hood to the Tennessee River it was consolidated with the 50^th Ohio at the end of the years. During service it lost 84 men killed and mortally wounded and 258 men by disease for a total of 342.

Superb “battle” letter from a cool-headed Union sergeant soldier who’d just taken three rebel bullets through his shirt and pants. Invites further research, Accompanied by documentation.

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