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1864 New York Infantry CIVIL WAR Letter in Arkansas, Great War News Content
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1864 New York Infantry CIVIL WAR Letter in Arkansas, Great War News Content
Price: US $49.88
Civil War Letter


Excellent content in this 1864 New York infantryman Civil War letter written in White River Landing, Arkansas.

The letter was sent up the Mississippi and postmarked in Cairo, Illinois. The best detail comes in the \"PS\" at the end, reporting news of the capture of Hood\'s army and Sherman taking Savannah.

FULL TRANSCRIPT, SCANS and some RESEARCH NOTES follow.

Letter housed in its original envelope with a Scotts 65 stamp - two large margins and a lovely bulls eye fancy cancel.

This letter was written by Joseph Francis (\"Frank\") Philp (1843-1920), the son of Joseph F. Philp (1793-1872) and Eileen Ann Hutchinson (1816-1884). Frank was born in Crediton, Devon, England and came to the United States with his parents in 1844. In 1850, the Philp family resided in West Troy, Albany County, New York. In 1860, they resided in Tyrone, Schuyler County, New York.

At age 18, Frank enlisted as a private in Company C, 161st New York Infantry. He mustered out of the service as a corporal in September 1865. He married Sophronia Abigail Knapp in December 1867.

TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Mr. Joseph Philp, Altay, Schuyler County, New York

Camp of 161st New York Vols. Infantry
White River Landing, Arkansas
Friday, December 23rd 1864

Dear Parents,

Another week has passed since last I wrote to you. I am now well as usual & in the best of spirits considering that I have the rheumatism a considerable in one of my legs. It is not serious. I am always ready for duty. I have got over the cold I had when I last wrote. The boys are all well as common. D. C. is well & in good spirits.

You will see that we are in the same old regiment as we are all on the move continually. I do not know how long we will remain here but I should think not long. We brought our lumber along with us from Memphis so we had a better chance to get up tents again. We went into an old camp that had of been left by some other regiment so it was not so bad as it might be. I had lumber enough to build a house to suit myself so I did so -- I and my tent mate -- as two in a tent is enough to be comfortable. We have got a nice little fire place as usual. I have got so that I do not care how long they stay in a place. I am ready to go any minute. It is tough but fair. It will not last always I hope on my part or anyone else\'s either, as we have but a few more months at most. Three years is long enough for me at one time. Let some one else try it.

The war looks better to me now than it has before in regard to coming to a close. I do not think it will close in less than one year but I hope it will come sooner. I would like to see it close while I am a soldier. Time will tell the story how soon it closes.

The weather is rather cool. We have had a considerable rainy weather fork six or eight days back. Nothing I hate to see worse than a cold rain -- especially when on the move. There was rain all the time while on the move from Memphis. I could not dislike anything worse. We left there last Monday. We were three days on the boat [with] little or no shelter to lay our feeble bones to rest unless to get wet. Well it done me good to get wet as I got better right off in one sense & in another it was worse as my cold settled in one of my legs.

I am still a private. I do not know how long I will remain thus -- perhaps some time. It does not hurt me to be a private. I have always been one. I was not reduced through disgrace. In my last letter to you I sent you $1.00 to pay for the flag. I got two Havana Journals from you tonight but no letter. It has been some time since last I got a letter from you. I see I must close as it is getting late in ___. Give my love to all.

From your son, -- Joseph F. Philp

P. S. Good news come to us yesterday of the capture of Hood\'s Army by Thomas. The capture as I heard was 23,000 men, 100 pieces of cannon, 140,000 stands of arms, 200 wagons, 1200 horses & the complete route of the army. There was a salute fired of 30 guns here yesterday at noon. Bully for Thomas. The news Sherman got Savannah. Bully for him.


TERMS$2.00 postage in the United States and $3.00 elsewhere. We accept paypal. Postage combined for multiple purchases. We\'re members of the American Philatelic Society, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance and the Illinois Postal History Society.Some of our letters have been transcribed and nicely presented for futuregenealogists and history buffson the Spared & Shared blog. We\'ve been selling on since 1998. offer WITH CONFIDENCE.






















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