1862 Civil War Siege of Corinth Letter 11th Missouri James Pickering B1404

Original May 5, 1862 Civil War soldier letter written from the field in Mississippi by Private James “Jas.” Pickering, Company H, 11th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, during the Siege of Corinth. Written on striking red illustrated “Our Union Defenders” patriotic stationery, featuring a Union soldier, American flag, cannon, tent, and stacked rifles. Pickering discusses the massive Union army gathering around Corinth, estimates the Union battle line at approximately 12–15 miles long, mentions Confederate forces nearby, prisoners, casualties, and a recent “small Brush with the C.S.” His description appears to refer to the May 3, 1862 fighting near Farmington, Mississippi, shortly before this letter was written. The letter also references General Joseph B. Plummer and mentions Rufus M. Longnecker of the 30th Illinois Infantry, whose Civil War service can be independently documented. The manuscript mailing directions identify the writer as James Pickering, 11th Regiment Missouri Volunteers, Company H, Mississippi. Research identifies Pickering as a Union private from Sumner, Illinois. He died in Mississippi on June 7, 1862, only 33 days after writing this letter, and was originally buried at Farmington before later being reinterred at Corinth National Cemetery. The letter shows significant age and field wear, including paper separation along several original fold lines, with some areas still separated and untaped, while other separated or weakened areas have been repaired or reinforced with old transparent/brown tape. Additional staining, fold wear, edge wear, and small tears are present. Despite these condition issues, the manuscript remains largely readable, the important military content is present, the patriotic design remains visible, and the soldier’s signature and identification survive. Please review all photographs carefully for exact condition. A highly interesting and well-documented Western Theater Civil War field letter combining Siege of Corinth content, identifiable soldier history, patriotic stationery, and the poignant fact that James Pickering died only weeks after writing it.