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Confederate Soldiers Letter 57Th Virginia Picketts DivI continue to sell my large collection of civil war letters and postla history. I am offering here a six-page letter from a confederate soldier named john dill from old hickory, virginia. The letter is datelined camp of instruction, richmond, sept. 11th, 1861. I have not thorougly researched dill, so what follows is the information provided by the dealer who sold me thsi letter many years ago one of lew armisteads virginians. 6 page letter writtne early in the war by private john dill, company k (botetourt guards) 57th virginia, pickett's division! Dill finished the war as a 2nd lt. And was wounded at 2nd manassas and slightly wounded at gettysburg 3 july 63 (pickett's charge). He was captured at five forks 1 apr 65 and paroled from johnson's island on 18 june 65. He was 30 years old. Since this letter was written during the first omnths of the war, it is mainly about camp life and dill's concerns about the family at home. Dill first writes about how ill-prepared the confederate army is the capt. Wanted us to take flint lock muskets but the majority of the company would not have them. If we can get suitable guns i suppose we will go on to manassas junction in a few days. Later on he writes thta his company may not be in the fighting anytime soon since we are not well enough drilled even if we had guns. I several places in the letter dill displays a good sense of humor some of the gilrs wants to know what is the matter with some of the boys that get off from our company. I think they would be better not mary them for if they are not able to stand a yankee they can't stand a woman. He also writes tell the old lady i have not got the palpitation of the heart. I want to make a few of the yankees hearts palpitate before i get it. There is more interesting content about soldiers avoiding military service and about a drukn soldier who died after falling on his own knife. The letter is easily readable adn is in excellent condition. This scarce confederate soldiers letter would make a great addition to any civil war collection. Please see my other listings for other items of interest to the civil war enthusiast. |
