American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography Online

Letter to a Confederate soldier's wife detailing her husband's death and field burial, with instructions to send a coffin. "Camp 10 Ga Regt 2 miles below Richmon [sic] Va," 30 July 1862.

1 1/2 pages, 7 1/2 x 9 3/4 in., creased along old folds, with toning and dampstaining. Addressed to "Mrs. Wynn."

In this letter signed "N. W. Stone," he informs the widow that if she will send a coffin immediately, Colonel Cumming "will dispatch a waggon [sic] & men to have your Husban [sic] disentered [sic] & put in the coffin & buried when you can ultimately get it if it cannot be sent home immediately."

He then describes the details of the widow's husband's death, writing: "Your good husband was killed instantly or at least he never spake. He lived about 10 minutes after he was shot. He was shot just below the in the left breast. I am sorry to say he was buried without box or coffin just roped up in a blanket it was the best we could do for the Army was put in rapped [sic] motion early next morning & all were just alike."

The letter begins again on the next page, with the writer again addressing his "dear friend," and saying he wishes he could have done more for her husband. "It seams [sic] so hard I know for you to give him up soo [sic] soon after leaving you & to be kiled [sic] by northern foe. I can deeply sympathise [sic] with you in present affliction for I have passed through the same ordeal once in my life."

In a final note, the writer directs the widow to send the coffin to Colonel A. Cumming of the 10th Georgia Volunteers.

Colonel Cumming most likely refers to Alfred Cumming, who enlisted as a lieutenant colonel on an unknown date, and was promoted to colonel in September of 1861 and brigadier general in October of 1862. He was later wounded at Jonesboro, GA on 31 August 1864.