[The 41st was organized in Cleveland, moved on to Camp Dennison near Cincinnati, and then to Gallipolis. During the course of the war they fought in the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Corinth, Battle of Murfreesboro (Stone's River), Chicamauga and then on to many of the skirmishes in northern Georgia culminating in the Siege of Atlanta. Then operations against Confederate General Hood in northern Georgia and Alabama and finally on to the the Battle of Nashville in mid December 1864. In 1865 they moved on to New Orleans and then Texas with duty in San Antonio until November when they were mustered out.
N. Elvick]
Letter to the Journal from a Soldier in the 41st OVI Departing Gallipolis
Court House, Nov. 26, 4:00 A.M.
To the Ladies and Citizens of Gallipolis
FARE-YOU-WELL! We part with you with the deepest regret, our hearts full of love and thankfulness for the kind and generous manner in which you have treated us during our sojourn in this place. We are sorry, indeed, we cannot remain to eat a Thanksgiving supper at your hospitable tables; but duty calls and away we go. We love you all—except the accursed traitors among you, of whom we know there are some—and shall remember the kind words and cheerful smiles that have greeted us in Gallipolis. May the blessings of God be with you and protect your little though thriving and interesting city, so long as you prove true to the Union; but when you turn traitors, may a worse than "Guyan." ruin visit you. We go to fight for our country and your rights. We will cling to the Stars and Stripes and defend them with the last drop of our life's blood, marching Southward till rebellion shall be put down, and treason trampled in the dust.
We have formed pleasant acquaintances, and especially among your good-looking ladies. May they never wed a man who has not patriotism enough to take up arms in defense of his country, but tarry until the 41st returns from the "big war," when some of us propose to marry and settle with you. Hoping that you, as well as all of us, shall survive the assault of traitors, and that the Union may soon be restored and the thirty-four bright and shining stars that compose this mighty Confederacy again glitter in the gorgeous diadem that shall deck the head of Liberty's Goddess, we remain your FORTY-FIRSTERS.
The Gallipolis Journal
December 5, 1861
Transcribed by Eva Swain Hughes