102. Gill, Dr. John
Civil War Letter: Financial Worries

St.Charles, Arkansas: September 18, 1864
Dr. Gill is the sole support of his infirm mother (her eyesight is very bad) and young sisters and brothers. While performing his duties as a Union Army medical doctor, Gill is trying to sell some vacant land and to renovate rental property in Ohio via the mail. This September letter details his financial frustration. Gill had been taken prisoner by the Confederate Army and the "rebs took every thing from me with the exception of what I had on my back at the time, and these happened to be my poorest clothing, and you can imagine what condition I was in when I reached our lines again, without money or a change of clothing. What I had on was a 'seedy' condition I assure you." After his return to his unit, Gill had to buy himself clothes, a horse, blankets, etc. as the Army did not supply them. He had to borrow against his future salary in order to continue serving. According to this letter, Gill had not been paid for five months. He writes about clothes and what he dreams of buying. Rather jealously, Gill complains: "All the other officers are marching around camp putting on all the style imaginable with their high heeled slippers, the gifts of some fair lady. Before I entered the service I considered myself among one of the fortunates as I very often received (??) or other from the ladies but I am now on the list of those that are layed on the shelf." Gill also complains that the folks at home -especially his brother Henry - are not writing him often enough. "He knows from experience," Gill continues, "how soldiers long for the mail to come to camp, and the disappointment if they receive no letters." It is obvious from this letter that Dr. Gill is miserable.

50/100     SOLD: $92.00

Condition: Very Good