FROM "JOHNNIE"

John Lapham Bullis's family must have spent many anxious hours thinking of his safety--and his whereabouts--during the Civil War.  The arrival of each letter was proof that at the time of writing he was well enough to put pencil to paper, and these communications must have been  received with great joy and relief.

His second letter home from Annapolis, Maryland was written while he was "Waiting transp. to Army Potomac."  In that July 2, 1864 letter he reminisces, "Year ago at Gettysburg, warm, and we were taking a doublequick for a Barn that was changing hands often on that memorable time." Then on September 19, 1864, he was  "On the Ohio River Steamboat Grey Eagle on Ohio bound for Louisville. Soldiers have Measles." There is also a comment that he himself is "measle proof."

Between November 5, 1863 and November 20, 1864, Bullis wrote nine letters home, almost one a month, keeping in touch with those he loved and cared for. And he signed all of these letters "Johnnie."  Today, as we admire him for his military greatness, let's remember that first he was a loving son and brother.