Holly, William H. (d. 1864) to Mary Ann Davis
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02165.03 Author/Creator: Holly, William H. (d. 1864) Place Written: West Hartford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 February 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.1 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Written at Camp Lyon to a friend. Laments camp accommodations ("you are at Church listening to a good sermon while I am seated on a wash basin and writing on a Camp Kettle") and not being able to spend "the last Sunday in Brookfield that perhaps I shall ever spend in Ct. with you." Talks of writing letters for soldiers in his company who are ill with measles or in the hospital. Jokes with some hints of jealousy that his friend went sleighing with a man named John. Then, describes part of the journey his company will take by railroad and steamboat, stopping at Fort Monroe (in Virginia). Mentions a wounded friend coming home and then his brothers who had returned. Finally, he discusses the fate of those who took their pay and went home, and are now considered deserters. Image on stationary of an eagle, American flag, and banner reading "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
William H. Holly was mustered into the "E" Co. CT 12th Infantry on 11/19/1861. He died a prisoner of war on 12/11/1864 at Salisbury, NC. N.B. Holly spells his name "Holley."
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