Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to Rebecca Frick
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.014 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Hampton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 May 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy
Writes from Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, Virginia (present day, Hampton, Virginia). Letter addressed to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick or Rebecca Frick. Writes that he received an interesting issue of the Danville Democrat. Reports that McClellan was in possession of Yorktown though he feels that the capture could have been more effectively carried out. Also reports that the Merrimac made another appearance but no fighting took place. Says that the body of a captain from the 1st Delaware regiment, was found a quarter of a mile from the picket station with two bullets in his head.
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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