Dated Head Quarters Anderson Cavalry / Camp Garesche, Murfreesboro, ____ [?].” Addressed to Julia St. Clair, Norristown, PA.  4pp. in pencil on unlined letter., 5” x 8. Exhibits fold-marks. Else VG. In protective sleeve, accompanied by documentation.

Jacob Steinmetz enlisted as a private in Co. “C” 15^th PA Cavalry, 8/22/1862, and mustered out, 6/21/1865.  His unit saw service in the Western theater, and participated in the Battle of Stones river, Missionary Ridge and Gen. Stoneman’s huge cavalry raid near the end of the war.

Julia St. Clair (1842-1864) was a great-grand daughter of Revolutionary War general Arthur St. Clair. It seems also certain that Jacob Steinmetz was romantically linked with Julia, but in 1864 or 1865, she died. Jacob’s letters are ones in which he asks why she hasn’t written to him.

Text summary: In this letter Steinmetz apologizes for not writing sooner as not much has happened, but he fears fate could prevent his writing. In the future as he has left the commissary and is back in the field “with sword by his side.” He mentions chasing the rebels off the mountain, capturing horses, mules, negroes & “southern apologies for men.” He says they expected an attack last night “& if they do attack, they will get harsher treatment than before.”     [JP]

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