Letters from a Civil War Relative #8: May 11, 1862 from Camp Cumberland

 Richard Stamper sends another message home, again on patriotic stationery. I suspect Lewis Reynolds wrote this one for him. 

 I hope this was not the family’s first notice of Edward Turner’s death.     

Camp Cumberland Knox Co Ky May the 11 1862

Dear father I seet myself once more to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at this time hoping when these few lines comes to hand they may find you all well.

I have nothing verry strang (strange) to rite to you at this time.

I rote you a letter about the 14 of April but I don’t know whether you got it or not.

I hant received manny letter from you sens Mr. Reynolds was rit hear and I have throat (thought) long of the of the time I throat you had forgot me but I am hope not. 

                                         Turn over

Edward P Turner died the 9 of April and I want you to come out and take his things home. The captain has put them lock up in his trunk a waiting the opportunity to send them home and I want you to bring brother John with you for his discharge has come on. It was sinned (signed) the 26 of April and not fail to deo so father. (Sic)

I would like to see you all but no I am deprived of that opportunity at this tiem but I think I will get home before long if I have good luck for luck is a fortune but a man be where he may.

So turn over and read the rest.

At this point, I have uncertainty if the next page goes with this one, but I am including it here. The message fits well enough with the previous paragraphs and I think the handwriting is similar enough as well. If it is not part of this letter, his words still give insight into the spiritual side of his life, especially in light of his brother-in-law’s death.

I do not see any other page that might end this missive, so it is another cliffhanger of sorts.

I have had many troubles and trials to encounter with sens (since) I have bin in the servis and expect to see a great many more if I live long in this troublesome world. I want to deo (do) as my rite as I can I put my trust in god for I no he is the only savior and I want all of my brothers and sisters to deo the same for I no life is uncertain and death is sure.  The(re) is several sick her(e) and one died to day. That will make a man come to his (illegible - sadness?) to see soldiers die in the servis.

Location of Knox County, Ky.

An AI generated report noted: “There is no specific historical site known as “Camp Cumberland” from the Civil War era; instead the name likely refers to Cumberland Gap , a crucial strategic pass where Union and Confederates forces fought for control, or Camp Wildcat (near London, Ky, an early Union encampment and battle site. Alternatively, it could refer to Camp Marrowbone in Cumbetland County, Kentucky, which saw usage by both Confederate  and Union troops.

I am skeptical about these  suggestions. The unit had been at Camp Wildcat previously, with letters using that name. Camp Marrowbone appears to be an 1863 site, likely not around at this time. Also, Cumbetland Gap is not in Knox County. Maybe this was a small temporary site near Barbourville, where an earlier letter had said the men were going.