Point Pleasant, Va.
Oct. 12, 1862
My Dear Father -
As this is about the first leisure time I have had since we landed here, I will endeavor to write a few lines home. We are now encamped nearly one fourth of a mile above Pt. Pleasant on the bank of the Ohio River on the old fair ground in Mason, Va. Our march through from Portland was not near so fatiguing as when we marched from Gallipolis to Portland enroute for Marietta, as we were on our way two days instead of one. (Ed. note: It is probable that this march was one made by Companies A, B and D from their mustering in point at Gallipolis on Sept. 17 to join the other 7 companies mustered in at Camp Marietta).
The boys are all well (with the exception of a few slight colds) and in good spirits: Frank is much more steady than he was a while ago; he says tell his family he is well and feels about right. He sent $22.00 home by Mr. Matheny which is not quite as much as he might have sent but it was the most I could induce him to send. (Ed. note: probably Franklin Leaman who may have worked on the Putnam farm in Athens County. This man is one of several Co. A men to whom reference is made repeatedly in David’s letters. These references show the close relationships between officers and men in volunteer regiments formed from relatively small geographical areas. The 92nd O.V.I. regiment was made up almost entirely of men from southeast Ohio. Mr. Matheny may have been the father of William Matheny, another Co. A private who later drowned off a steamboat in the Cumberland River).
There is now quite a large force at this place, there must be between fifteen and sixteen thousand in and around here, and there are continually reinforcements arriving. Morgan's brigade which is now at Portland awaiting clothing etc. will shortly be here.
This place is well fortified for some three or four miles back in the country; so that we think we are able to resist a force of thirty or thirty-five thousand of the enemy.
It is the general impression here that we will not make an advance up the Kanawha river until the arrival of gunboats.
Our pickets captured two rebel soldiers about twelve miles out from town night before last; they are now in camp under guard, poor miserable, dirty, half clad and down hearted looking creatures. It is evident from their conversation that their game is pretty nearly played out.
They say they have been sadly deluded by their leaders - are sorry that they were so foolish as to enter the southern army - have been in the army about one year and have received no money but script which is worth about as much as brown paper.
Those testaments which you gave me for distribution, were distributed the same evening while the men were in line at roll call; the(y) seemed to take them very thankfully and on our march during resting time I observed more than one searching the pages of his book with seeming earnestness.
I have written to mother today. I have paid for my watch at Marietta.
Cal Wells (Ed. note: Calvary H. Wells, Athens TWP, age 22. Died at Carthage, Tenn., 20 April, 1863. Buried at Nashville.) gave another $30.00 to send to his wife. He says he would be very thankful if you will see that she gets it; he does not like to trust some of his friends at home as he feels that they have not treated him right since he left home. (that is, they have sold some of his property and not handed the proceeds over to his wife as he directed.)
Tell Geo. (Ed. note: David’s younger and only brother) that he must get the corn all husked and hauled in before winter. Tell Betty & Ella (Ed. Note: Two of David’s five sisters) I would like to have some of those good griddle cakes that they used to bake.
Much love to all
affectionately, your son D. Putnam
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