Letter in possession of, and generously contributed to this website by David James.

Letter transcription & explanatory notes by P. Davidson-Peters (2004).
Any errors are therefore the result of my own deficiencies and interpretations.

Brackets indicate uncertainty of word

Camp Whitcomb
New Albany, In
July 3^d 1846

Dear father,

We intend leaving this point for the Rio Grande on Tuesday next (so says the Colonel), the 1st Regiment leaves on Sunday it will be impossible for David to be [..ss] before we leave.

You will send our clothes down by the first opportunity or bring them down yourself with mother. David has found his lost suit of clothes.

There was a sad accident here yester=day a hack upset and rolled down the river bank some [30] feet killing one of the lieutenants of Montgomery Guards a young man of about 20 years of age. He was buried to day with the Honor of war.

David and myself are well.

Yours Respty
H. Daily

William "Harrison" Harry Daily was born in Charlestown, Clark Co., Indiana in 1819 and was the eldest child of David Wise Daily and his wife, Mary A. (Shirley). He was a 1st lieutenant, Adjutant, of Company I of the 3rd regiment and was mustered in on 22 June 1846 at New Albany, Indiana, by Colonel Samuel Churchill. Transferred to staff, Harrison was mustered out 24 June 1847, at New Orleans, Louisiana.

D.W. Daily was father of Harrison Daily. He was born David Wise Daily in Charlestown, Indiana on 16 August 1798 and was the son of Philip Daily and Mary (Wise).

David is brother of Harrison and son of David & Mary (Shirley) Daily. He was born in Charlestown in 1827. Just about five years from the date of this letter David married Mary Ann Parker, the daughter of John C. Parker. He was mustered in 3rd Regiment, Company I, 22 Jun 1846, at New Albany, Indiana as Sergeant, by Colonel Samuel Churchill, and mustered out 27 Jun 1847, at New Orleans, LA, by Colonel Samuel Churchill. He and Mary Ann were the parents of Fanny, Harry, Mollie & John C. Daily.

J.C. Parker, Esq. - Letter was either carried by or sent in care of him. He is believed to be John C. Parker who was born in Tennessee in about 1807. His wife, whom it is speculated he married before 1830, died sometime between 1860-1870 and was named Nancy (last name unknown). John and Nancy were the parents of John M.; Mary Ann who married David W. Daily, Jr. in 1851; James Madison; Emily; Adaline; Cordelia; Sarah (Sallie); and Julia Parker.

Camp Whitcomb - located at New Albany in Floyd County, Indiana, five Indiana regiments were formed at this rendezvous point in 1846-1847 for service in the Mexican War. The first 3,000 men departed for active duty under Brigadier General Joseph Lane during July 1846.