Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to sister Anna
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.055 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 August 1864 Pagination: 3 p. ; 25.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Writes from Camp Jones that he is currently on furlough. Writes that due to the negligence of the officers, the men are still at Camp Jones with nothing to do. Reports that John Hardman, a man in his company, died from bad whiskey and excessive heat. Says that he is able to go into the city on mail business and return at his leisure, but finds Philadelphia to be a disagreeable place. Will send money home once he is paid. Most of the men are present at camp with a few exceptions. Those that do not return by tomorrow will be considered deserters.
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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