Colby, Oren (fl. 1865) to Mr. and Mrs. Colby
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00272.02 Author/Creator: Colby, Oren (fl. 1865) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 April 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 25.2 cm Order a Copy
Colby, 12th New Hampshire Volunteers, writes to his mother and father that the troops have heard of Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. Informs that during their celebrations a fellow soldier was hurt. They were firing off guns and lighting canteens filled with gun powder. Remarks that those who said the Confederacy would not fall must be feeling foolish now. Discusses the destruction of Richmond and says that the people are starving. They beg the soldiers for food and eat rations the soldiers have thrown away. States he gave a young boy sugar and coffee the other day. Encloses five dollars. Asks them to write a long letter soon.
According to the provenance of this letter, Colby was a Union soldier in the Company of 12th Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant at the Appomattox courthouse on 9 April 1865.
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