Letter from Boyd to Margaret Boyd (his mother), 1862 September 14

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Dear Mother, I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well at present, hoping you are doing the same. We was mustered in yesterday evening I enlisted on august the 17 on Monday morning we will get our Money monday or Tuesday and as quick as I get it I will send it home last Sunday I sent a letter with two rings in it and a breast pin I suppose you have got it before now I wrote a letter to Arch last Sunday tell me how you are getting along I am doing very well now Edward utter is in a Wabash company he is in our regiment if it had not been for that company we would not been mustered in the service yet I seen John Cook yesterday morning he took away his sword from his hand , and put him in the guard house there is 8 regt here and one regt of artillery I like soldiering first rate we don't know how long we will be here tell me how johnny is getting along and maggy watter and Charly I would like to see you all I forgot little byron I paid john hinton one dollar and 20 cents for fetching me over I was the only paid him anything for the trip tell Johnson that all the secesh all went away and I could not get over in the barrack to get one give my best respects to all the family no more at present

Letter from Boyd in camp near Nashville to Margaret Boyd, 1863 February 22

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Sends salutations to family and prizes his mother's gift. Expresses a desire to write to friends. Describes camp life, the horrors of war, and the surrounding physical environment near the Cumberland river. Surprised about seeing a name written on the side of a cliff.

Letter from Boyd at Shellmound Station, Tenn., to John Boyd, 1863 November 15

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Mentions his "well and hearty" condition, camp religious services and his salary. Describes his camp location, the Confederate evacuation of Lookout Mountain, and Union plans to march on Atlanta. Expresses joy at Meade's success. Details the tough battles against Confederates near Chattanooga. Explains how Union forces occupied salt mines (Nicajack Cave ) and predicts victory for the Union. Describes the superiority of Union troops, which "mowed" rebels "down like grass." Brags about his regiment's role in victory and their officers.

Letter from Boyd in Whitesides, Tenn., to Margaret Boyd, 1864 January 21

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I take this opportunity of writing and answering your kind and welcome letter dated the 15th and I received [sic] it the 22nd of Jan. I am well and hearty as usual. We have pretty weather here Now, I am writing this letter on the Breast Works at White sides mother we have a very long march to under go we started yesterday morning to go to Knoxville which is one hundred and fifty miles Our whole division is started and I can't tell when we can get there the Weather here is Just like spring Weather at home only not so cold I am looking at the White sides Bridge or on other words falling Water we are going to pick a fuss out of the rebels and I think they will run like turkeys well mother I will write to you as quick as we stop I feel very well we have very large knapsack to carry Colonel moore is in command of the Brigade we are going to take out time for marching so colonel says he says that he ain't a going to run the Boys to Death while he is in command so I must close my letter by sending my Best respects to all the family and Father and except mine

Letter from Boyd in Shellmound Station, Tenn. to his Father and Mother, 1864 January 28

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Discusses his health and weather conditions. Mentions the furlough of the 21st Kentucky and the "good health" of his compatriots. Expresses "his love to soldier." Describes rail travel from Nashville to Chattanooga. Saw General Grant, Butterfield, and Smith. Misses family and expresses a desire to visit home. Mentions Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Describes Shellmound, the Tennessee mountains, and his "splendid" pen, purchased for $3.50. Asks family to "remember" him and laments not receiving communication from them.

Letter from Boyd to John Boyd, undated

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Congratulates father for finding a job and wants to live in a "good house" built by him. Tells about the fighting ability of his regiment and their activities in the hinterland. Describes the destruction of "secesh" property and his disgust for rebels. Describes how he wants his salary spent and lists family members and friends who have been sent letters.