The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-14
NEVER CAME BACK
Winfield Man Gets a Letter
From His Cousin
Written on a Battlefield 80
Years Ago.
WHERE HAS 1T BEEN!
The Writer Never Came Home
From the War.
Sleeps Below Dixie's Line In an
Unmarked Grave.
WHERE HAS 1T BEEN?

S. H. Myton received a letter Monday
which, if it could talk, would doubtless
tell interesting story, but as it can only
deliver the message it bears on it's face,
it's whereabouts for the last thirty-three
years can only be guessed and hardly
that says the Winfield Courier.
1t is time-stained epistle written by
Union soldier on a battlefield in Virginia
over third of a century ago and has Just
reached it's destination. Where II mas
been all these Years Mr. Mvton can not
even guess. The writer never returned
from the war and his bones are now sup
posed to lie bleached and bare in some
unmarked soldiers grave with the WIND
signing through the palmetto trees the
only requin.
ago it is evident that if dead, the writer
died with his face to the foe fighting for
Mr.. Myton received it from his brother
at Huntington. Pa. where it was adver-
tanning it appeares new but the postmark
is too dim to decipher. The stamp is OF
the present series which indicates its re-
cent mailing. The letter is as follows;
Camp near Fairfax Station, Na..J2n. 2 81.
opportunity of addressing you a few lines
I am well at present, and hope these few
lines will find you enjoying the same good
pleasure. All the rest OF the boys are
well at present.
We left Harper's Ferry on the 10th day
OF December, and marched eight days, to
where we are now-about the distance of
fifty or sixty miles-and have laid
ever since until within the last few days
We have had very nice weather so far
since left the Ferry, with the excep-
ton of few wet days. 1t is very nice
weather now. and seems like spring to
me. but it is pretty cold at night.
One day since Christmas were or
dered to march. with three days rations
in our haversacks. We left early in the
morning and marched out toward Dunn
fries, beyond the Ocokon creek-about
four five miles. We We're out looking
after Whites cavalry which was about
but could not find them. They made
their way around us. and passed about
two miles below our camp, but only
stopped at the station, and then made
their way to Fairfax court house. but
they We're turned there and did not get
They made their way around without be-
ing captured.
There is cannonading going on today
somewhere We were taken out on picket
this morning-just our company-fn
charge of Lieutenant Flenner. and he got
on the wrong route. but on we went and
relieved some pickets. but they were not
ours and after we were posted a little
while the lieutenant and some of our men
got TO growing at a pretty loud rate.
when. much to their surprise they heard
the report of a cannon. and a shell BURST
ed not lar from US, which stopped them
at once and the old lieutenant jumped uD
and said: What in the devil does thar
mean ~ He went to see what it meant
ana came back and told US to pack up and
we would make for camp. Now we are
IN camp. and as called it the bent
over fight all got off safe
1t will soon be bedtime and I must
fetch my scribbling to an end for this
tune, so nothing more at present but
sui remain, your friend,
JOHN B. MORRISON