Description:


Somber A.L.S., 4pp. 8vo., [n.p.], May 5, 1862, a letter from an unnamed civilian to his cousin regarding the illness and death of his brother, James. The letter begins with a description of the coffin, reading in part: "...We had with sorrow the opportunity of seeing his body on Saturday a week ago...He did not look at all natural. The coffin was not air tight. It had a sand hole in it and was leaking which caused a smell...the coffin had been moved so much that his head was bent back on his shoulders. We could recognize him by his hair and cheek bones..." Later, the letter details his illness and death, reading in part: "...He was in the hospital at Murfreesboro when he died & was sick for about 11 days...the day he got sick they were marching. He marched all day and part of the next...It appears that there was no one with him when he died. There was a man lying below him said he though James died very hard..." Many more details about his death. The writer also describes how his other brother, William, had been spared from joining the army after the death of his brother and another colleague: "...We were not allowed to have it for we were stopped twice by death..." Appreciable ink stain on the second page, text is still legible, else very good condition.

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September 27, 2020 8:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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