American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

6 1/2 x 7 3/4 in. journal containing 60+ filled pages featuring approx. 34 letters, most to Kildrey P. Aldrich, Company G, 117th Illinois Volunteers, from members of the regiment recounting their time together at war. All letters accomplished from Montgomery, AL between 20 June and 16 July 1865.

Near the back of the book is a space for autographs of which there are approx. 60 of fellow soldiers. 

The first letter is written by K.P. Aldrich, to whom the journal belongs. He writes requesting his fellow soldiers to "leave some token by which I may remember you in after years" on the pages of the book. It seems that the book was then passed around among the regiment. 

Portions of letters include:  Alonzo F. Hart, Co. G, 117th Illinois Volunteers: "It has been said 'that trials make people stick close together.' I believe it. When a number of men are engaged together in a work which they think to be just; the more adversities we meet, the closer we are cemented together. So with us, there was a time in which there were bold traitors in our front and on our flanks, and sneaking copperheads in our rear, but did it separate us from each other; No! It bound us closer together, and made us feel that we are doing our duty as American citizens and not only this but we felt that God was on our side, and feeling this, we held up our heads, were willing to endure suffering & privations for the renovation and establishing of our country on the basis of, 'justice to all;' to 'live and to let live.'"  -- S. H. Grover, Co. G, 117th Illinois Volunteers: "Almost three years ago we left our beloved homes and friends at the call of our much loved and now lamented President to assist our Brothers that had gone before us in putting down the cruel war we have marched side by side like through wet and dry warm an [sic] cold while many of our comrades have sickened and Died while others were struck down by the enemys [sic] bullets God has ben [sic] kind to us in sparing our lives all through the hardships of Soldiering we ought to thank him the more for his goodness..." -- Thomas J. Van Hoover, Co. G, 117th Illinois Volunteers: "Dear Brother soldier it is with the greatest of pleasure that I take this method of showing to you my greatest of friendship, in 1862 at the call of the president of the U.S. made the call for 600,000 waked our patriotic zeal and we responded to the call and I hope that you have not regreted [sic] the call though we have been in close places and have heard the missels [sic] of war of the many battles that you and myself have don [sic] our duty as patriotic citizens of America..."

Kildrey P. Aldrich enlisted on 12 August 1862 as a private, and was mustered into Company G of the 117th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment the following month. He was promoted to corporal on an unknown date, and mustered out on 5 August 1865 at Camp Butler in Springfield, IL.