My second great grandfather was a soldier in the Civil War. He fought for the Union Army. In one of my parent’s family history trips, they came across a letter written by Andrew to his brother Gilbert. The letter is written in Norwegian and it was necessary to get it translated. It is a prized heirloom and amazing to think that one of my ancestors fought in a war that I have heard about my whole life. A war that ended almost a hundred years before I was born. Here is what the letter says:

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Camp near Raleigh, North Carolina                                                           April 23, 1865

Good brother Gilbert Hanson,

As I have leisure time I will address a few lines to let you know my situation. 

God be thanked I am fairly well, although for some time I have been bothered with dysentery. I have had no appetite so in a short time I have lost weight and am weak, but I hope it will soon be gone. 

We can not fully thank our God who now has put an end to this bloody war, and has protected us so well until this time. And I hope too that he will give us a lucky trip home so we can gather at home happy and contented and live with our families in peace. Still we will not regret our services, especially now that we bring peace and victory with us. It can not be of much interest to you if I should write of our enemy’s surrender. I am sure you know that as well as I do. I do not know what time we may be on our way home, but orders from Sherman are that we may go home soon. We may be here two or three weeks or we may go sooner. 

In the last letter I wrote to you, I asked you to send me another hat, but if you have not already sent it on receiving this letter, I think it better you do not send it because by that time it is possible we are on our way and then it would get lost. 

Paul Patterson came back to the Regt., but now he was taken to the hospital again. For one thing he was sickly and for another he got something wrong with one eye, so he could not see anything out of it. I have had not letter from Minnesota since we left Goldsbaro and that is now two weeks ago. 

I will close my short letter for this time with wishes that these lines will find you in good health. 

You are brotherly greeted from me, Andr. Hanson

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I can just feel the history in this letter. He was there. See if you can find a great letter written by one of your ancestors. They have led lives filled with adventures and amazing experiences. 

Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy 

P.S. Thank you to all of the Veterans who have served our country!