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Spencer, George A. (fl. 1862-1864) to his mother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00653.21.02 Author/Creator: Spencer, George A. (fl. 1862-1864) Place Written: Annapolis, Maryland Type: Manuscript letter Date: 25 December 1862-29 December 1862 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20.1 x 12.7 cm. Order a Copy

Two letters on same sheet. The main portion contains a letter by Spencer to his mother (likely Mrs. Alice Spencer), written from "Camp parole Annaplis" (likely Annapolis, Maryland) and dated 25 December 1862. At the top of the first page is a brief introductory note written by Mary T. Gorham to Mrs. Todd, written from "Bristol" (likely Bristol, Rhode Island) and dated 29 December 1862. Gorham's letter states that below she has copied George's letter from the original, which was received by "Aunt Alice."

[draft]
Bristol Dec 29/1862

Mrs Todd Dear Friend
according to promis I will now copy Georges letter Aunt Alice received it this morning and where very glad to here from him: we are in usual health and hope you are the same
yours Mary G Gorham

Camp Parole Annoplis
Dec 25 1862

Dear Mother
I am well and hope you are the same I have been taken prisaner and paroled they took me and Jim Gladding and a lot of others about 220 in all and paroled us and sent us to Washington and from there to where we are now I suppose you sent my box and boots if you have you can write me word and I will send to the Regt for them if you [have] not you can send them to me now they will come here in two days there is no need of my writing anything about the fight because you know more about it than I do I know one thing though that we lost 4 to there 1 while we was coming back our men was over under a flag of truce digging trenches to bury our dead they had been working all night and the ground was covered with them as far as you could see and thick as they could lay they most of them was striped naked, when you write Mother I wish you sould send me some Money tell Father I have got a Richmond Dispatch. tells about the battle of Fredericksburg. I got it while I was over among the Rebs I will send it to him when I get a stamp we live like fighting cocks here we have fresh meat and potatoes twice a week and fresh white bread every day and tea and coffee I dont know of anything else to write at present so good by give my love to all inquiring friends
from your Son
G A Spencer
Co. 1 7th Regt. R I Vol
Camp parole
Annoplis
Md.

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