The Hugh Watson McNeil Collection
Hugh McNeil began his service in Company D, 1st Pennsylvania Rifles, eventually attaining the rank of Colonel. He was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam on September 16, 1862. These letters were provided to us courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Archives.
The John Fletcher Hamlin Collection
Hamlin served in Company D, 1st Pennsylvania Rifles. These letters were provided to us courtesy of descendant Judith Schaechter.
Individual Wartime Correspondence
Letter from W. Harry Rauch, from Camp Pierpont, December 26, 1861
Camp Pierpont, Dec 26, 1861.
My Dear Friend Harry: Be it too late in offering you my wishes for a “merry Christmas.” I will take care to be on time – a most “happy New Year.
We celebrated our Chr...
Letter from Lewis Hoover, from Camp Pierpont, January 9, 1862
Camp Pierpont, Va,Jan 9th/62
Dear Lib,
I have not heard from you for one month today although I have written two since your last one came to hand, now I cannot account for this, for I know you...
Hall Brothers, Letter Excerpts Published January 11, 1862
[Editors note]. We publish the following from R.D. and R.A. Hall, of this place, of the “Bucktails,” sons of Orris Hall, Esq., omitting considerable about the Drainsville fight, already very fully des...
Letter from James H. Masten, to his Father, from Munson's Hill, September 5, 1862
Sept. 5, 1862,Camp Bucktail, Munson’s Hill –
Dear Father: Yours of Aug. 13th has been received. I suppose you would like to hear from the Bucktails on the war tramp.
Well, we left Harrison’s Landi...
Letter from Isiah Hartzell, from Camp Pierpont, dated March 14, 1862
March 14th , 1862Camp Pierpont
Dear brother
I take my pen in hand to in form you that I am well at present and I hope that that these few lines will find you in joying the seame blessing I received...
