Years ago we handled a large collection of letters written by Henry Dunham and his brother Benjamin. This is one of them. The letter is three pages handwritten in ink and signed “H. R. Dunham.” Letter is written from Philadelphia and is dated March 23, 1864. Henry is writing to his Uncle Will and his Aunt Angaline. He writes asking them if they make more money doing photography or surveying. He then goes on to talk about being on guard and setting up a large hospital tent in anticipation of a flag presentation by General Cadwallader. He believes the tent will be for the officers to “stow away” in if they drink too much. He also speaks of the Sibley tent they have erected at 18^th and Market streets near Girard Collage. He mentions it having a wood floor and being quite comfortable despite a snowstorm. He closes by saying he hopes he can get on a detail going to Fort Monroe.

Henry Dunham was commissioned a 1^st Lieutenant in Company K, 141^st Pennsylvania Volunteers on August 28, 1862. He went with his regiment to Washington and northern Virginia but became ill and was discharged for disability on December 9, 1862. He was more fortunate then his brother Benjamin who enlisted in the 141^st with him and was killed at Chancellorsville. On February 24, 1864 Henry enlisted as a Private in Company E, 186^th Pennsylvania Infantry. This regiment served as a Provost Guard for the city of Philadelphia and never went to the front. It was while a Private in this regiment that Dunham penned the letter offered here. On January 1, 1865 he was commissioned 2^nd Lieutenant in Company F, 30^th U.S.C.T. During his time with the 30^th they saw action at Fort Fisher, Sugar Loaf Hill, Federal Point, Fort Anderson as well as numerous campaigns in the Carolinas till the close of the war. He was finally mustered out on December 10, 1865. A short record of his service and a photo from the Internet accompany the letter.