Manuscript Civil War Letter
Poolesville, MD: Feb 8th, 1863. 5" x 8", 4 pp., folded lined correspondence written in pencil. Includes stamped mailing envelope to Miss Abbie Grafford, Springfield, VT. Eagle embossed in top right corner of stationary. Light aging at centerfold and tiny chip on edge of p. 3/4, not touching script. An endearing letter from a solider in the field with a prescient knowledge of the coming battles of summer, including his unit's critical role in the Battle of Gettysburg. The 13th, 14th, and 16th Regiments from Vermont formed the Third Brigade of the Third Division. The Division was led by MG Abner Doubleday (of the famed founder of baseball), while BG George J. Stannard led the soldiers from Vermont. Fine. Item #2735
"Poolville MD Feb 8th, 63. Friend Abbie - I have just come off juard ad I now find myself seated to write you a few lines your kind letter was read Wednesday Feb 4th. happy was I to find you enjoying good health, I am as well as ccan be and hope this will find you enjoying the same bless well Abbie I have not much news to write that ill intere you. I was on guard last Monday up to Head quarters of the Brigade came off Tuesday morn Wednesday I went on Camp guard and then went on again Saturday came off this morning after we came back to camp we had to go on inspection of arms & and I am so tired and sleepy I can hardly write there were three hundred more Caverly come here last Thrusday also there came here same day three hundred mounted riflemen this week there is 10 Regts coming here so there will be two Brigades here so I think if the Rebels come we shall be prepared for them the talk is that we shall have to move as soon as the going gets settled we cannot tell we may have orders at any moment but I hope we shall not have to move at present we have got nice quarters & I dont want to leave them I hope the next time we move will to go home I have got about sick of war but I have not scene half so hard times I expect to before I go home I exptect we shall see some pretty hard times next summer probable we shall go down to the fornt next summer. Oh I am so sleepy I cannot write I will not write much more for I dont feel like writing today I believe the Jaffrey boys are all well as usual Edward Cutter has not been very well for a few days but is alittle better to day I made a ring the other day & I am going to send it to you it is not a very good one it is the first one I have mad I do not have tools that I can make them with you can get Father to smothe it of and pollish it if you do not like it you may let mother have it I am a going to make another when I get time & I will send it to Mother well I will close for this time I will try and write more next time excuse all mistakes write soon this this is truly yours in hast from John C. Rice" (sp as written).
Price: $150.00