Christy writes to his sister, Mary Jane Demus, soon after enlisting in the 54th Massachusetts. He comments on the challenges of learning about military discipline.
Demus writes about the cold weather and about seeing other men from Mercersburg.
Christy writes that he expects to be in North Carolina soon. He also promises to send money home.
Demus writes about capturing and burning the town of Darien, Georgia. He estimates that the federal troops seized at least a million dollars worth of livestock and other goods.
Christy describes seizing food and farm animals before burning down a town near St. Simon's Island, Georgia.
Demus is upset that he has not received a letter in six weeks and says he wants to send 35 dollars. He also reports that he was wounded in the battle at Fort Wagner and is now in the hospital.
Christy reports on the men wounded during the attack on Fort Wagner, including Demus' husband, David.
Demus expresses gratitude at having received a letter from his wife and asks that she send him a picture of herself.
Demus is grateful for having survived a recent battle.
Demus assures his wife that he is not in any danger and promises to send her some money as soon as he can.
Demus writes that he heard about the presence of Confederate troops in Pennsylvania the previous summer and says he is not afraid of the rebels.
Demus expresses disappointment that Mary Jane has not written recently and urges her to write again.
Demus writes to his wife about the wound in his head.
Demus tells about the food he is eating in South Carolina and asks about the animals at home.
Christy inquires about the garden at home and predicts that he will not return home anytime soon.
Demus writes that he does not like hearing that his wife is working in a field husking corn. He suggests that he might come home soon--as soon as he is paid the $90 owed to him.
Demus apologizes to his wife for scolding her in a recent letter. He also mentions that he expects to return home soon.
Christy writes to his relative, David Demus, with news from home, including the births of children and the difficulties plowing land.
Christy writes about his disappointment at not being paid, his desire to return home, and his frustration with the South Carolina weather.
Demus describes the games played by soldiers in camp on Thanksgiving Day.
Demus reports that his head wound is getting better and expresses his regret that Jacob had to sell his sheep.
Demus provides his wife with details on the shooting of a deserter in camp.
Demus says he hopes to come home soon and have a doctor put a piece a silver in his wounded head.
Demus talks about the possibility of receiving a furlough and says he expects to be paid soon.
Demus expresses concern that his wife has not written recently and reports that he may receive a furlough soon.
Demus writes that he expects to receive a furlough soon. He also mentions that he is about to participate in a "big" fight.
Mary Jane Demus inquires about her husband's health and tells him that she is temporarily working at Mr. Patterson's.
Demus describes a recent battle in Florida where a number of men in his regiment were killed, including his brother-in-law, William Christy.
Christy reports on friends and family killed in a recent battle. He also mentions that Demus' husband, David, wants to send her two oranges.
Demus describes the fatal wounding of one of his wife's relatives in a recent battle. He also mentions that he is currently away from his regiment and "waiting on" an officer.
Demus reports that his head wound has not yet healed.
Demus reports to his wife that he arrived in Charleston and immediately caught a cold. He also tells about seeing some of their friends from home.
Demus reports on the death of a relative in battle and expresses concern that his wife is having to work so hard at home.
Christy writes to his sister with an update on the various illnesses and wounds received by their friends during a battle at Olustee, Florida, in February 1864.
Demus describes his regiment's movement from Jacksonville, Florida, to Morris Island, South Carolina. He also urges his wife to stop working as soon as he can send her his army pay.
Demus writes his wife that he is unsure of when he will return home again. He also reports that he has been detailed to butcher cattle for his regiment.
Christy talks about the Confederate torpedos that blew up a Union ship recently. He also expresses frustration at not having been paid and says he and other soldiers in the 54th MA will continue to fight for the same rights that white people have.
Christy reports on friends who have been killed or wounded. He also asks about whether a railroad is being built between Greencastle and Mercersburg.
Demus talks about missing his wife after not seeing her for one full year. He also relays the assurances he has received from his colonel that a furlough, as well as his pay, will be forthcoming.
Demus tells his wife not to be scared when she receives his latest picture in the mail and promises to improve his appearance soon. He also says he is glad to hear that his wife has become fat.
Demus comments on his head wound and reports that soldiers in the 54th and 55th Massachusetts may not receive all the pay to which they are entitled.
Christy updates his sister on the welfare of her brothers and her husband. He also expresses frustration that his regiment has not been paid, especially given how hard he and his comrades have fought.
Christy asks how the family is doing and says that there is talk of being allowed to return home soon.
Demus is glad to hear his family survived the Confederate raid in Chambersburg. He also writes about working in a store.
Christy is glad that his sister and family did not incur any harm or damage during the Confederate raid of Chambersburg. He expresses frustration that the Union soldiers in and around the city were not able to stop the Confederate forces and suggests that his company easily could have prevented the raid. Christy also comments on the treatment of black prisoners of war and on the unequal pay of African-American soldiers.
Demus is pleased to report that he is now the chief commissary clerk.
Demus thanks his wife for her letter and reports that he is getting plenty to wear and to eat now that he is working as a clerk.
Christy offers updates on how the men from home are doing in the army and mentions that he is still waiting to be paid.
Christy describes recent fighting near Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia. He also mentions that his regiment's conduct earned the praise of officers.
Jacob Watson, a soldier serving with David Demus in the 5th Massachusetts, writes to his brother, Hezekiah Watson, about sending money to an "old man" with David Demus.
Demus is concerned that he has not received a letter from his wife in awhile and wants to know why she has not written.
Demus comments on the value of his wife's letters and informs her that he has arrived in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Demus talks about his responsibilities working in a store. He also mentions how hard it was to leave his wife after a recent visit home.
Demus talks about his desire to return home again and mentions seeing one of Mary Jane Demus's relatives.
Demus writes to his wife about exchanging family pictures.
Demus talks about how much he misses his wife and how hard it was to leave her the last time.
Demus writes that if it wasn't for the black troops fighting for the Union, the war might last another ten years. He also says he feels lucky to have remained safe in the war.
Demus talks about the difficulties of sending mail home.
Demus talks about the difficulties he has encountered in getting paid and the resulting conflict with his wife.
Christy reports that his regiment is in good health and describes the peach trees around them in Savannah.
Demus remarks on the pleasure he receives from reading the latest letter from his wife, espcially after the previous letters, which were "Nauthing but buse."
Demus comments on the value of receiving letters and mentions his company's recent movement through Charleston, South Carolina.
Mary Jane Demus asks her husband for an update on the health of her brothers and asks whether it was true, as she saw in the newspaper, that a Demus died in a recent battle.
Demus writes that he hopes to be home soon and will bring money with him.
Mary Jane Demus writes to her husband with an update from home, including her thoughts on working for Mr. Patterson and a mention of a meeting of black people in Franklin County.
Christy writes to his sister about sending him a picture of herself.
Demus writes about how much he appreciates his wife's letters and how he wants to be with her again.
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