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Letter, 1865

 File — Folder: 1

Scope and Content

From the Collection:

This collection consists of a letter written by Conrad C. Fisher, a corporal serving in Company B, 76th Pennsylvania Infantry during the American Civil War. Addressed to "my dear cousin" (Miss Nancy Jane Cozad), the letter employs phonetic spelling throughout and is dated "Chatnon Farm, Va., Jenuwar the 2, 1865." Fisher reports that he has just returned from a failed expedition to take Wilmington, North Carolina (following 22 days at sea, half-starved and covered with body lice), and he notes the loss of many horses and other things during a storm at sea. Fisher mentions Christmas, writing that he spent the day "Fightn For my Countrey in solt wattr up to my wast[;] that is the way to put in the holy daye." Fisher also reports on six soldiers having been recently shot for desertion to the enemy. "[A] deziter is a tratr to his contrey iney how," he writes; "tha ar [betr?] dead than a live." The letter is accompanied by an unstamped envelope addressed to "Miss Nancy Cozad, Sharon, Mercer Co., Pa.," postmarked Washington D. C. on March 12, 1865, with three cents postage due.

Dates

  • 1865

Creator

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308