From the Smallest Libby Letter to the Largest – Harry Brown, Company B, 4th Mass Infantry, Serving as a Prison Guard at Libby Writes an 11 x 16 inch Letter on Paper from “One of the old Libby books”
That old Libby book had blue pages and with Harry’s dark ink handwriting, makes for a great display. Here is the content:
- Libby Prison Richmond, Va. April 25th, 1865. Dear Uncle, I am on guard tonight and pretty darned sleepy as it is almost 4 o’clock a.m. so I shall not make this a very long letter.
- Your kind letter came last evening, found me well and in gay spirits. I have not called on your friends yet as the letter came so late last eve that I did not have time then to call and I am now on guard as I said before but I will be relieved at 10 this morning so shall call today. I heard from Mother last night. She wrote all were well. She has rented a house on Temple Street but had not moved in when she wrote. She is to board a gentleman and wife for the rent. Willie and Frank are to be with her. Frank remains in the same situation as when Mother was in New York. I shall expect to see you on here pretty soon. If your Foundry was near the Whig office it was saved. (Probably from the big fire) I hope so.
- I shall make all inquiries about your tobacco and let you know when you come on here. YOU WILL FIND ME AT THE LARGE TOBACCO WAREHOUSE ON THE CORNER OF 19TH AND FRANKLIN STREETS. I AM ENJOYING MYSELF VERY WELL…
- …have made the acquaintance of several families here, a Mr. Miller on Clay between 3 & 4 streets and a Mr. Graves on Franklin Street near our quarters.
- There is some talk that my Corps is to go home on half-pay, subject to be called out at any moment, but only a rumor. THE BALANCE OF THE CORPS IS TO MARCH INTO THE CITY TOMORROW.
- They have been in the late battles. I guess you have read in the papers of the First Division, 24 A. C., that is my Division, “Gen’l Foster’s.” I think my Regiment very lucky to get out of those fights, don’t you?
- Well, I must close, HOPING YOU WILL EXCUSE THIS SHEET. IT IS A LEAF IN ONE OF THE OLD LIBBY BOOKS. I DID NOT TAKE A NOTION TO WRITE UNTIL A FEW MOMENTS AGO SO THOUGHT THIS WOULD DO AS WELL AS ANYTHING ELSE. So good night. With much love to all. Accept the same from your Affectionate Nephew, Harry (Brown)
Very attractive for display.
#L4-25-65MA – Price $595
