1864 Civil War Union Soldier Letter City Point Petersburg Richmond VA. B1176

Original Civil War-era handwritten Union soldier’s letter written near City Point, Virginia, during the Petersburg Campaign, circa June 1864. The letter is written on one large sheet, front and back, and contains strong firsthand military content concerning Petersburg, Richmond, Confederate supply lines, and the expected return of Company E to Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Notable passages include references to the Union Army: * “Knocking at the southern gates of Richmond” * Beginning operations at Petersburg * Moving around the Confederate left to cut communications and supplies * Expectations that the rebellion would soon be crushed * “Old Company E” returning to Lewistown The letter is addressed to Salome and signed “Frank.” The Company E and Lewistown references suggest a possible association with the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, although the writer’s full identity has not been conclusively established. The letter also discusses photographs, family members, local acquaintances, social activities, marriages, crops, and the Philadelphia Sanitary Fair, providing excellent military and social-history content. Condition: Original mailing folds, age toning, scattered stains, ink smears, fold wear, and a noticeable edge tear extending inward along one horizontal fold. There are also small areas of weakness near intersecting folds. No major section appears missing, and the majority of the writing remains readable. The painted photograph mentioned in the letter and the original envelope are not included. A desirable original Civil War manuscript with detailed Petersburg and Richmond Campaign content. Please review all photographs carefully for exact condition, handwriting, stains, folds, and tear.