Hi Marsha. I would very much like to see the photographs. I have a few photographs myself and know a little something about them and perhaps I could help and in this case, a picture really is a thousand words. :-)
The letters you speak of are of much importance to civil war historians and actually I am in the midst of trying to put a put a publication together because I've 100+ letters from soldiers in the 30th Illinois Inf. Even if it describes ordinary soldier life it is of use. Contact me at my e-mail and I can help you a little easier.
Matt Anderson
30thil@comcast. net