Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to Rebecca Frick
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.021 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 July 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that he has arrived safely and is in good health. Complains of the dullness of recruiting and wishes that he were stationed in a place where he could be more useful. States that he is disappointed in the size of the village and that he has not visited any place of public interest. Writes that the women of the village are not attractive: " Eve must either have been a very homely woman or else the ladies of this place have partaken greatly of her fall, and have a woeful deficiency to account for." Asks his aunt to send him two dollars, as he doesn't think he will be paid any time soon. Also reports that he has not heard from the company since his arrival to Wilkesbarre.
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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