Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to Rebecca Frick
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.060 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Bermuda Hundred, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 September 1864 Pagination: 6 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Has marched to the north bank of the James River, advanced on Signal Hill and captured Fort Harrison. Reports heavy skirmishing with a large number of casualties. Asks his aunt for a newspaper account of the recent battle.
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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