Simeon W. Hifner, Jr. was born 1838 in Troy, Woodford Co., Kentucky to the parents of Simeon Hifner and Louisa Jo Johnston. In his letters to home, he mentions other young men, who I believe were from Jessamine County. Hoping to hear from some of the ancestors of his friends. Simeon Hifner, Jr. enlisted in the Confederate Army on September 10, 1862, in Fayette County, Kentucky. He was in Company B 8th Regiment Calvary under Kentucky Volunteers. He was stationed at McMinnville, Tennessee on December 31, 1862. His Company Commander was William R. Lewis.
Simeon was at Camp Chase until August 10, 1863. At that time he was transferred to Camp Douglas Prison, where he remained until his death on September 8, 1864. His cousin, John W. Hifner, son of James Hifner and Mary A. Johnston, was also at Camp Douglas with him.

Following is a letter Simeon wrote to his brother, George, while imprisoned at Camp Douglas, Illinois:

"Camp douglas Il. Aug 13, 1863
Dear brother, I received your letter while I was at camp Chase you don't know how glad I was to here from you all these few lines leave me well and hope they will find you all well. we left Camp Chase the 20th came here to Cicago and you know it is on the lake and is very cold this morning. If we have to Stay here this winter I think we will freze unless they give us more
blankets than we now have. All of the boy that were at Camp morton are here John Hifner is here and Penington they are well there was only 600 of the men sent here from Camp Chase. G. Woods N. Guyn E. Yeagle was left there I suppose they will be here in a fiew days as they say they are agoing to send all of our command here to gether. I guess we will have to stay here some time as we here no talk of exchange of morgansmen. George I suppose you had
started letters to me before I left Camp chase if you did they will be sent on here to me I wrote to tom to send me some money if he did it will come on here we cant by anything here not even tobacco without the green backs. George you wanted to know what you was a loud to write to me you can write any thing you wish about the neighborhood and family I would like to her how you and Pap are a getting a long on the farm how your crops look Uncle James
wrote to me that you had some of the finest tobacco that he ever saw. I will clos by saying to you to write to me often and give me all the news tell Thom and the girls to write. As I am glad to here from home any time. I remain your friend Simeon W. Hifner"

This letter is from Simeon to his sister, Mary:


" Camp Douglas Ill Oc 31/63
Sister Mary yours
Of the 22 inst came to hand last evening & one from george which was 4 days later though they were both acceptible they found me in usual healt which is not very good at best the rest of the boys are well as common it Snowed all day yesterday & night So the Snow is tollarable deep this morning. You wanted to know if we had fires to keep us warm & plenty to eat we have one Stove in our hous & there is 160 men to Sit by it we have tollarable plenty of meet and bread. Corn bread so you see we have a hard time of it at best. I have had to quit writing to go & issue our rashing to the company but I am through now & my hands are so cold that I can hardly write. I don't know what we will do this winter to keep from freezing James McKee & James Sallee are some better this morning Ham Boone I think is mending I believe have told you all the news worth relating so I will come to a close. I want you to write to me often and let me know how you all get a long at home and what is going on in the neighborhood. Write soon give my love to all inquiring friends & receive aportion your Self, Simeon Hifner"

The following letter is from a friend and neighbor of Simeon informing
his father of his death in prison:


"Hospital Department Ward C
Camp Douglas Ill. Sept 9th
yr1864
Mr Hifner
I have seated myself this evening for the purpose of informing you of your sons death he died Sept 8th his re-mains were ordered to be sent home which I have no doubt will be done. He was in the hospital only a short time he was very sick and I do not think he was conscious of his suffering his disease I do not remember. I am sick in the same Ward have been very sick
but think I am better. Siem had good attention Paid him both by Surg. & nurses But his sickness was very great - write Soon so no more at present I remain yours as ever
Samuel Lowery"

Simeon's remains were returned to his family, and he was buried in Woodford County, in the Johnston/Hifner Cemetery, 9401 Troy Pike. This property was an original land grant farms in Woodford County, Ky.