Letter from “Lee” to “Dear Annie”. Dated “Darby [PA], July 2, 1863”.  4 pp., in ink, on unlined paper., 5 x 8”. Exhibits light fold-marks. Else VG and entirely legible.

Writing from Darby, near Philadelphia, a female  writer  signing as “Lee [?]”  apologizes  for a delay in replying to friend “Annie” in Chester County, excusing herself “owing to the excitement”-- i.e. Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania.

She goes on to ” to write that “I do not care to go very far from home until it subsides a little, the people in the city [Phila.] are beginning to be alarmed at last. They have seemed to take everything very cooly, there is a fear of a raid being made in the neighborhood of Delaware County and Philadelphia, they are throwing up entrenchments around the city. To defend it there will be three lines of entrenchments. The third will be from W.C. to Phoenixville, there will be many a fine farm ruined, who would ever thought  Pennsylvania would come to that.

The writer then goes on to “dish” and tease friend “Annie” concerning attentions of masculine admirer named “Samuel,” decorously rendered  as follows:

“Now Annie, how about “Samuel”. I heard not long since he was in Chester County hunting lambs but not to kill. I suppose to cage. I understand he does not want more than one, I am sorry for that, as I would like to be one of his lambs. I think he is a very fine man but I am always too late, I suppose he took you riding of course, and how did his horse do? Did he want to relieve himself. I expect Sam wouldn’t know what to say or do, but he would ask, where that water was coming from.”

She then asks about “Charlie”, writing that “We heard from Ellis [that] he was very well with the exception of blistered & scalded feet. They had to ford Bulls run, and it was over boot tops, they crossed over the battle grounds, and saw the men’s hands and feet sticking out of the earth. I think It must be an awful sight to behold, men were falling out of the ranks , dieing from the effects of the heat.

This morning’s paper stated that Gen. Meade & Lee’s armies are engaged. I expect the slaughter will be terrible, I wish this “Cruel War” was over.”

Excellent Gettysburg Campaign civilian letter. In protective sleeve.  [jp]

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