Dated “Nashville 28^th 1863”. Addressed to Julia St. Clair, Norristown, PA. 2 pp. in ink on lined paper, 7.75” x 9.75.  Exhibits fold-marks. Else VG. In protective sleeve, accompanied by documentation. Accompanying cover appears to be dated the month of May.

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

Julia St. Clair (1862-64) was a great-grand daughter of Revolutionary General Arthur St. Clair. It seems also certain that Jacob Steinmetz was romantically linked with Julia, but in 1864or 1865, she died. Jacob’s last letters to her are ones in which he askes why she hasn’t written to him.

Text summary: In this letter Steinmetz writes Julia that regimental difficulties concerning the terms of their enlistment that almost caused a “mutiny” on the eve of the Battle of Stones’ river are over. He answers her earlier inquiry concerning possible French recognition of the Confederacy by saying that “if any people in our State are so dastardly mean to wish that which would not only deluge the south but our homes in the North with Rivers of Blood, he hopes those people would be forced into the Army. He tells her she has no idea of war. He mentions that in Nashville & vicinity, there is not a fence to be seen, that after leaving Nashville and vicinity, and that after leaving the city every house has been burned. . “Ruin marks the progress of an Army through a country. “You hope for peace,” he writes, “ but there will be no peace until every rebel lays down his arms and submits to the rule of the Great Republic, or the War must go on until every rebel is swept from the land and every house is destroyed in the whole south.”    [JP]

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