Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S. (fl. 1860-1866) to his brother
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00686.08 Author/Creator: Van Valkenburgh, Gerrit S. (fl. 1860-1866) Place Written: Boone County, Arkansas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 October 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 19.6 x 11.9 cm. Order a Copy
Two handwritten copies of the same letter in the file. Says it has been a long time since he wrote, but not because he has not thought of his family in the North. Claims that "although we now belong to sections of our country which are engaged in an unnatural and unholy warfare Yet I cannot say that I love your or my friends less than I did when we were Members of the same great family." Wonders when they will be reunited. Says last letter from the family was July 1861. Says he shed blood for the South and that he is "now in the army fighting for liberty - for the same great principles that our grandparents fought for in the Rev. struggle." Mentions family news. Location listed as "Camp Bellfont," in Arkansas.
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