William Alexander Kirkland enlisted as a private in the 45th OVI on July 15, 1862 and mustered into Company D on August 19. While in the service Kirkland wrote the following letters to his cousin, Benjamin Franklin Leigh Meredith, and to his aunt and uncle, Jonah Meredith and Rebecca Kirkland Meredith, with whom he was living when he joined the army at the age of nineteen. Little is known of Kirkland's pre-army life, including why he was not living with his parents.

In May, 1864 Benjamin Meredith joined the 132nd OVI, a 100-day unit, and mustered out in September of the same year. His cousin was not so fortunate: William Kirkland died of typhoid fever on April 1, 1863 in Danville, Kentucky. The last letter on this page concerns the disposal of his body.


Benjamin F. L. Meredith Bellefontaine, Ohio
August 17th, 1862

Dear Cousin,

I take this oppertunity to let you know that I am well and hope you are the same. The boys are all enjoying (illegible) life very well except some of the boys who are sick. We are not been sworn in the United States Service yet, but expect to be on the 18th. Well, I have not got mutch time to write, but there is one thing that I have not told you and that is this. That we are ordered to Kentucky soon. I dont know whether i will get home or not. I have been half promised to come home and fech my money & if I dont I will send it home with Jo. Griffin who is cumming home next week. Well, I must close.

Alex

direct your letters to
William A. Kirkland
Camp Chase
care of Capt R. Dow
company D 45th regiment OVI

other ways i will not get it
Bellefontaine, Ohio


Sept. 8 (illegible) M Meredith

Cousin,

I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope that these pen lines will find you the same. I heard that we was all taken prisoners, but we are not taken yet, but we have had a hard time to keep from being taken prisoner. On Thursday morning about 9 oclock the 99 reg come into camp and told us that there was about 20 or 30 thousand men in (illegible) of us and told us that if we didn't retreat on double time they would be on us in an hour or too. They was (illegible) so back that they didn't no what to do. Collonel Runkle told the Collonol of the 99th that he would stand them a fight if he would. But the collonel swore that he would not fight sick so all we had to do was to retreat to Falmouth where we stayed all that night and the next day and night. When on taken We Went back again and stayed those an hour or too. When a dispatch came for us to retreat again. So we retreated to dunkirck Where we stayed all night. We (illegible) retreated to Covington where we were not talking nor all killed mother. There is one thing for serton that if they come now they will have a good time to get us to run for there is about 60 or 70 thousand men here. Well, I believe that all that i have got to say this time. Write as soon as you get this letter. Direct your letters to William A Kirkland care of Cap't Robert Dow 45th O.V.I.

W A Kirkland


Camp Miche September 23, 1862
Covington, KY

Benjamin F. Meredith

Cousin,

Sir, I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope that you are the same. I don't know that I have got very much to write about this time. Company D and two or three more Companys were out on a scout and have just returned. I did not get to go as I was detailed to stay and guard the baggage and very glad of it this morning for the boys are complaining about there feet being so sore. Some of them saying that there feet are all blistered. Jo Griffin says that his feet as big as a hens ass. Jo is a great boy. We are all getting payed of to day and I expect to send mine home by express and I want you or pops to watch the express office and get it. We got our mounths pay to day and our county tomorrow. Will express to pop and I want him to take care of it for me. I expect to do (illegible) in a month or so. I tell you what it is that I will have to frank this letter as I have no postage stamps or either can i get them. I wish that you would send me some so I can write to some of the girls and to you to write and tell me how Kate is and who goes with her. I will have to do you as I promised that I would to Dave Kemper if you dont write more then you do. You only have wrote two letters to me sence I come to camp. Come now you must do better then that. Well, i believe that I have told you all the news that i know now. Write soon and tell me how you are all a getting along. So good by Ben for this time.

WM Alexander Kirkland

(not dated).

Cyntheana, Kentucky

Dear father, (Note: This letter is addressed to Jonah Meredith who is Alex's uncle, not father)

I take this oppertunity to let you know that I am well as can man. I have not been well for two or three days. I have had some thing like the flue, but I am a getting better a for them now, but I have not got fit for duty yet. I wish you would send me the news. Send one of the County papers so i can hear the news that is a going on up there. Write and tell me whether you have got my munny or not. Well, I must close for this time.

William A. Kirkland

Direct to me in Company D
care of Capt R. Dow
45th Regiment OVI


Danville, April 20, 1863

Mr. Jonah Meredith,

We send you this day by express the remains of Alexander Kirkland. When your dispatch come he was buried, had to have him disinterred. The surgeon at the hospital requests that the coffin be not opened. Cap't Taylor signed reciept for his effects in your name. He had fifty nine dollars in his pension. Will send you his clothing by express or bring them when i come up. Hoping they will be recieved in good order. I am very respectfully yours, (illegible) Riddle