CIVIL WAR LETTER
Civil War Letter by Soldier in Co. I, 84th Pennsylvania Infantry
This Civil War soldier letter was written by 27 year-old Jackson Potter (1834-1862), the son of John Potter (1807-1880) and Mary Rishel (1813-1879) of Luthersburg, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. Jackson enlisted on 1 October 1861 in
Co. I, 84th Pennsylvania Infantry
and he died on 11 July 1862 at Alexandria, Virginia.
Most of the letters were written to his father, or his sister, Jane Potter (1839-1905), and a few to other family members such as his brother, William Marion Potter (1842-1916).
Of Potter’s service, his commanding officer wrote, “the company joins with me in [conveying to you, his father,] that they have lost a true soldier and a pleasant companion.”
Transcription
Winchester, Virginia
May 10th 1862
Dear Sister,
It is with pleasure that I take my pen to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well, hoping that you are the same. I received your letter today when I came off picket and was glad to hear from you and that you was all well.
We have got orders tonight to march tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock. I do not know where we are going to. It will be to Strasburg first. It is reported that we will go to Fredericksburg near one hundred miles from here and most every other place that could be mentioned.
The last letter I wrote to you I sent you my likeness. Excuse me for not writing much this time but I meant to write the longer letter. The last letter was the longest letter that you have ever wrote to me but you need not forget it. The next time, let me know if you got my likeness and about all of the things.
We are now cooking rations and it is getting late. What little war news I know I need not write for you will get it sooner. Let me know about the Salem Sunday school and how is the officers and teachers. Let me know about my house lot and if Jos. Rishel has fenced it and description of the fence and how he built it. And how the grain looks—ours at home especially.
All of the Brady boys is well. Isaac Robison, one of the J. W. Paully men, is dead at the hospital where Jos. Kritzer is. I got a letter from him.
Today is very warm and there has been some nice weather here. Yours, good night, — Jackson Potter
to Jane Potter
Excuse my bad writing for I have done it in a hurry. Address to Winchester, Va., as you have done before. Write soon.
The great battle of Yorktown has been fought and our troops in in possession of the place. I can give you the news about it and won’t attempt to give you what I have heard for fear it might not be true but if it is true, it is a great victory on our side again.
TERMS
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