A great Western Theater letter written from Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, just twelve days after the Battle of Shiloh. The writer, a Hoosier soldier, uses colorful patriotic stationery printed by J. R. Hawley of Cincinnati. It shows an angel draped in a starred robe and carrying a Union flag, beneath the banner "THE UNION NOW HENCEFORTH & FOR EVER AMEN!" The letter is headed "Tennessee Pitchburg Landing Apr. the 18. 62" and reads in part (original spelling retained):

"I wanst more take the present oprney to drop a line to you this plesant evening to inform you that I am alive and well and I hope that theas few lines will find you the same. I have not hurd from you for a long time. I got a letter from you when I was at Nashville. I answered it but I supose that you never got it. Our mall has ben captured to or three times but if they got it I now that they cannot read it… I have ben down in Alibamy and Miscippy last Sabath. I saw some lemes growing and orangs but they was not ripe… they is a fine prospects for peeches in Alibamy and Miscippy and Tennessee. The Boys is afired the war will close before peech time but I recon that they will bee plenty in Hooshier State this year… The woods is green and everthing look very nice. The helth of the Rejment is tolaber good at this time. I left James White and Dave Cox and John Whitker back at Clumba sick… I and John Kingsolver and Bige Huff and Bill Hardsty is all that is left from the neghood of [Hirklan] to adiocate the caus…"

The letter's mentions of Nashville and of leaving sick comrades at "Clumba" (Columbia, Tennessee) follow the route of Buell's Army of the Ohio, which marched from Nashville through Columbia and reached the Shiloh battlefield in time for the second day's fighting. The letter names several hometown comrades, which may help with further identification.

One leaf of patriotic stationery, written on both sides, approximately 4 1/2" x 8 1/4", with the closing cross-written in the margin. Light folds, edge chips and wear, and a small stain on the reverse. The blue vignette remains bright. Good condition. Comes with a typed transcription.   [cm] [ph:L]

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

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!