Dated “Hospital 14, Nashville, Mar 17 [1863]. Addressed to his “Dear Parents.” 3 pp. in ink on unlined paper, 5 x 8.” Exhibits fold-marks and soiling of rear page. Else VG & entirely legible. In protective sleeve. Accompanied by documentation.

Note: Adam Kreps served in three regiments, mustering first as private in Co. “F”, 15^th PA cavalry, 8/22/1862, then transferring into Co. “A” , 67^th U.S.C.T., 2/24/1864, then transferring again into Co. “E”, 92^nd Regt. U.S.C.T., 7/12/1865, mustering out of service, 12/31/1865. He served exclusively in the western theater and with the U.S.C.T. regiments mostly in Louisiana. His correspondence consists of letters to his family, primarily to his father.

In this letter Adam Kreps writes from a Nashville military hospital, giving no indication of the nature of his ailment, only saying that he is getting along well and hopes “soon to get out of this place.” He writes of friends and the possibility of transferring  to his brother John’s regt. [77^th PA]. Excerpt as follows:

“I spoke in the [letter to the Doctor] that it was reported that Rosecrans had taken Van Dorn [Confederate commander] and 10,000 prisoners and it turned out to be incorrect…the boys [brothers Frank and John] are well…John intends to try and have me transferred  to the 77^th PA as soon as he receives his commission as Captain.

I think he can perhaps accomplish it. I hop he can at least. You spoke in your last letter of paying us a visit—[referring to his father’s forthcoming visit to Rosecrans’ army as Pennsylvania civilian regimental commissioner] I am glad you decided to come see us. It will be a great pleasure…I wonder what the Copperheads think of the Conscription Act. I don’t think they will raise any trouble when the time comes for enforcing it…”

----------------------------------------------

Born in 1806 in Lebanon, PA, J.F. Kreps established himself in Greencastle as an enterprising farmer and businessman, moving to West Newton/ Rostraver Township. An ardent Union patriot, Kreps raised troops and money, and served as a civilian Pennsylvania regimental commissioner, spending two months in that capacity visiting PA regiments serving with Gen. Rosecrans’ army at Stones River, TN, in late spring/early summer 1863; also visiting PA Army of the Potomac units in 1864.

He also contributed five sons to the Union army—John, Francis, Adam, William and David Dempsey (with John, Francis and Adam serving as officers), in five different regiments, all of whom would survive, though son John would be severely wounded at Liberty Gap, TN, and son Frank, captured at Chickamauga, would spend 14 months in various Confederate prisons before making an heroic and hair-raising escape from Columbia, S.C., in 1864.

The bulk of the letters in this first family grouping (27 letters dating from August 7, 1861 to July 1864) are from J.F. Kreps to son Adam (15^th PA Cavalry, 67^th Regt. U.S.C.T., 92^nd Regt. U.S.C.T. Also letters to son Frank (77^th PA Infy) and son George, and six to wife Eliza, most of which were written during J.F. Kreps tour of General Rosecrans’ army. Subsequent groups contain letters home from sons Adam, William, John and David Dempsey. Taken as a whole, the Kreps letters present a valuable and fascinating picture of the coming and goings of an American family at war.   [JP]  [ph:L]

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

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!