Dated “Winchester July 24 / 63.” Addressed to Julia St. Clair, Norristown, PA. 4 pp. in ink on lined paper, 5” x 6.75. Exhibits fold-marks. Else VG.

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

Julia St. Clair (1842-1864) was a great-grand daughter of Revolutionary General Arthur St. Clair. Its sees also certain that Jacob Steinmetz was romantically linked with Julia, but in 1864 or 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 apologizes for not writing sooner but tells Julia that they are far into enemy country “scattering the rebels like chaff before the wind.” He remarks that the rebels failed to hold their boasted stronghold “Tullahoma”. He says they have seen rougher times during March than any time in the service, says it rained almost constantly on the march from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma. He mentions how hot the Southern Sun is and that he wouldn’t want to fight in it.  [JP]

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

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!