Dated “Nashville, June 26^th, 1864.” Addressed to Julia St. Clair. 4 pp. in ink on lined paper. Exhibits fold-marks & two very minor ink splotches. 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 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 Gen. Stoneman’s huge cavalry raid near the end of the war.

Julia St. Clair (1842-1864) was the great-grand daughter of Revolutionary War General Arthur St. Clair. It seems also certain that Jacob Steinmetz was romantically linked with Julia, but that that in in 1864 or 65 Julia 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 asks what he has done that Julia refuses to answer his letter. He asks if it contained anything offensive, or, perhaps that it didn’t reach its destination. He mentions that he was in Rossville, GA, April 15, and in Huntsville, Alabama, Thursday last. He again mentions how hot it is in the south. He notes he has 14 more months to serve, and that he looks forward to seeing home again.

Records are unclear as to the date of Julia St. Clair’s death. If she died in 1864, or was terminally ill at the time, that is the likely explanation why she didn’t answer his letter.  [JP]

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