6 page letter in pencil, on full color patriotic stationary with Pennsylvania state seal and woman waving the US flag with the motto, “For The Union” (4 pp). The final two pages are on the front and back of a fragment of lined paper. Written to his parents by Lewis M. Prall. Pvt. Prall enlisted on 7/10/61 and served until his muster out on 6/13/64. During that time the 1^st Regt. PA Reserves saw action at Dranesville, the Seven Days Battles, Groveton, 2^nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Bristoe Campaign, the Mine Run Campaign, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Overall in fine condition.  Fold lines, no tears or holes.

Text reads in part:

Camp Pierpont, Nov. 19, 1861.

This being such a nice day and being on guard today I thought while I had time I would try to write you a few lines to let you know that I am still in the land of the living, well and happy. You may know that I am well when I weigh 145 lbs. Oh, I am fat and saucy as can be. John Hagans that used to live at Uncle John’s in York County was here to see me last Sunday. He came riding down to me where I was on guard….There is 2 or 3 of our fellows in Washington every day. My turn will come day after tomorrow. Jake and I are going in together. They give passes for 24 hours. I can only send you $10 this time as I want to get myself a pair of boots and I have bought a shirt and paid $1.50 for it and lent some money so my pile is down pretty low…. We got paid last Tuesday evening. We got $26.00, two months pay…. I heard an officer at head quarters tell Colonel Biddle that the Rebels had their Congress at Richmond, Va. yesterday…. I suppose it will be that all the Northern men shall leave Virginia immediately….we will not return until doing that which Uncle Sam sent us to do. The review that is to be tomorrow is to be at Bailey’s Cross Roads about 4 miles from here. Some think the war is nearly over. I do not know for my part….

Signed “Warmest love dear father and mother, from your faithful son till death, Lew.”

Accompanied by a typewritten transcription, as well as a copy of another letter written by Prall which contains his full signature and regiment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!