Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to sister [Ella]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.012 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 April 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Reprimands his sister for not answering all his letters and tells her that composition is a very important part of her education. Asks his sister to remember him to a certain Mollie M. whom he feels would make an interesting correspondent for him. Reports that his captain is suffering from boils and is unfit for duty but will be fine in a few days. Also reports that the Merrimac has not reappeared and that the troops at Newport News have been sent on to Yorktown. Wishes that the Merrimac were out of the way so that the Monitor could get to Yorktown and McClellan could storm the rebel batteries. Recipient inferred from content.
Before joining the service, Painter was a trained printer from Danville, Pennsylvania. He was mustered as a private into F Company of the 58th Pennsylvania infantry on 8 October 1861 and transferred to I Company on 1 March 1862. While in I Company, he was promoted to Sergeant and eventually mustered out on 21 January 1866 as First Lieutenant. Painter also held a post as Quartermaster's clerk, and performed freedman duties shortly after the war ended.
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