Written to his mother. Dated “Battery G Meade, D.C. Near Fort De Russey, Dec. 10, 1864. 2pp. pages in ink, measuring 9.25 x 8”, with one written on the reverse of a printed color map (Panoramic View of Washington/Topographical Map of Virginia between Washington and Manassas Junction) published by Charles Magnus, New York, ca. 1863-4. The second page is slightly trimmed round the edges, and both exhibit light chipping at the extremities. The lower map contains markings of locations where Pvt. Dockum and his regiment were posted. Including the phrase “on picket” inserted along the Orange and Alexandria RR, just west of Alexandria.

Text of the letter is as follows:

“I will write today thinking that you will not object in receiving a letter from me. I write on this map so that you can see pretty nearly by it right where have been all of the places that we have been to is not nown but I will mark each on the map we have duty it is a correct map and wish you to have it—for I am going to have it put in a frame to it always where it will be safe. I got a letter from Grandmother the other night and I have answered it. I answered it the night that I got it____they worry themselves up there. I think they do. I was on guard last night. I was sergent of the march, not that I am sergent far from it for I am not. I took the sergents place that was detailed. Don’t let anybody see this_______It was a cold night for the guard for it snowed like blazes all night long. The snow lay about four inches deep--- [upper edge of second page trimmed]---when I relieved the guard it looked like New Hampshire to see the hills all covered with snow. It is a pretty sight to see. It is right cold today has been so far and it will be for a number of days to come. I had a letter from Alanson Gaines last night. He says everything is dull. well I think it is but there is nothing dull. Things is lively as the war can make it. We had a good dinner today. It was baked beans and bread and coffee throwed in with pepper and  vinegar. Jam Ham I have not see for some time. Well since the 27^th of last I have not seen him.  I want____? to [k]now what I write. I write so often to you that for the recent past and all that transpires in our camp if I had a sleigh and horse would have a good time or even a bad one, I would not care which. But we have a good time in one thing and that is snowballing and a gay time we do have at it._____Jim Headly is in the 18^th Regt. so he will have a rough time of it.  I cannot think of anymore to write so I will close. Hoping to hear from you soon…Charles F. Dockum.

Nineteen year old Charles F. Dockum enlisted as a private in Company “C”, 1^st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery on 8/29/1864. . He was promoted to Corporal 1/31/1865, and was mustered out on 6/15/1865-----The first 1^s New Hampshire Heavy Artillery companies were mustered in on 7/22/1863. Dockum’s company “C” and other companies were organized between September and October 1864. These later companies were assigned to the Washington Defenses and were mustered out in June 1865, with no reported deaths or casualties.

An unusual soldier letter written on a map marked with company postings and picket assignment. Excellent collectible.

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