A copy of the Civil War Regimental Descriptive Book gives a physical description of Hiram Sowle Manchester. He was 43 years old; 5'9" in height; complexion, dark; eyes, hazel; hair, dark; born in Rhode Island; occupation, blacksmith. He enlisted on 3 February 1862 at Camp Denison, Ohio for a term of three years, enlisted by J. J. Geer. He was killed in the Battle of Pittsburg Landing at Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6, 1862. Hiram was a private, Co. K, 48th Reg't Ohio Infantry. A Casualty Sheet notes the place of death, and his death was certified by Capt. S. W. Patterson. Hiram wrote this letter home to his wife and children from Camp Denison. It is copied as it was written. The poem at the top of the sheet of stationary was:
Soldier's Farewell
Upon the hill he turned, to take a last fond look,
At the valley, and the village church, and the cottage by the brook. Beside that cottage porch, a girl was on her knees; She held aloft a snowy scarf, which fluttered in the breeze; She breathed a prayer for him - a prayer he could not hear; But he paused to bless her as she knelt, and wiped away a tear.
Camp Denison, February 14, 1862
Dear Rachel, I take this opertunity to Let you that I am Well except a bad Cold. We got to Camp the same night at ten o'Clock. Very tired. We eat diner at Bethel Super at Gears. There we had fried chicken and Baked hen and other things in portions and Super againe in Camp. I have a good Straw bed and a Blancet. We hav a plenty to eat. I have not ben on gard yet. We have not Drilled out of doers yet. The Snow is abou Six inches hear to Day. The Boys is tolerable. Sivile. I am not in Company I, I am in Company K 48 Reg. Captain Peterson. We don't know when we Will go away, we expect to go to Cincinnati if we go there it likly we never will leave thare til we are Discharged. So No more at present only, remane your friend. Children be good Children and Minde your Mother. Our Drummer is not biger than Mil or Jack. He is a verry nice Little Boy and as happy as if he was on his Mother's nee he uses no bad Language and talks to the other boys if they sware. Direct your Letter Camp Denerson Co. K in care of Capt. Peterson. Hiram S. Manchester.
Hiram and his wife, Rachel Daugherty Manchester, lived in Brown County, Ohio. Their children are: Louisa Lovina, Mary J., Amanda, Mary Sophia, Abel Taylor, Charles Millard, Leander Jackson, and William Lawrence Manchester.