The trunk body is made of four large pieces of wood dovetailed together and reenforced in the top and bottom corners with iron plates that are riveted in place. The bottom is also of one piece of wood with wood runners attached to keep the box itself off the ground.

The lid is made of two boards within a wood frame with riveted iron plates reinforcing the corners. The lid is held by two iron strap hinges and the top front has a hasp.

Both sides of the box have heavy iron handles for lifting.

The exterior measurements of the box are 26.00 inches long x 17.50 inches wide x 22.00 inches high. The entire box was originally painted a dark OD green with 80% of the paint remaining. Most of the wear is on the lid but the bottom of the backside has minor wood loss.

The front is marked with period stenciled lettering that reads “ADJT. WM. LETFORD” over “29^TH REGT. P.V.”

The owner of this trunk, William Letford, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1821. He was originally commissioned a 1^st lieutenant in Company B, 29^th Pennsylvania Infantry on July 1, 1861 but was almost immediately assigned as adjutant.

William’s oldest son Charles, was a private in Company B and would rise to Sergeant Major before being killed at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. It has been noted that when Charles was hit, his father never left his post but continued on with the regiment until the fight was over. Sadly, a few months later in October of 1863, William Letford’s wife Matilda, died after a long illness.

No doubt, with a very heavy heart, William Letford resigned his commission on November 12, 1863 and returned home to his two surviving children.

After the war he was an active member in the 29^th Pennsylvania Veterans Association as well as a member of the Colonel J. W. Moore Post #56 of the GAR in Philadelphia. He died on September 12, 1900 and is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia.

The 29^th Pennsylvania was organized in Philadelphia on June 29, 1861. While Letford served with the regiment they saw service at Front Royal, Winchester, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Wauhatchie. Their heaviest loss came during the fighting at Gettysburg where they served with the 12^th Corps losing 13 killed, 19 wounded and 2 captured.  [ad] [ph:L]

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