Holly, William H. (d. 1864) to Mary Ann Davis
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02165.17 Author/Creator: Holly, William H. (d. 1864) Place Written: Lakeport Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 May 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Written from "Lakeport, La." to a friend. Talks of the visit of the wife of his friend, William Hoyt, whom he will be sad to see leave as he enjoys having a "respectable female friend to chat with." Talks of how he wants to leave the army--"what a happy man I should be if I was permitted to live, to get out of this service, to know and feel that I am free, that I need not go to a place without I felt like it. But I am glad that I can say and feel that... I am in the hands of a just God that doeth all things well, we[re] it not for this faith I should feel miserable enough. Pray for me my dear friend that I may have more of that childlike faith." Mentions a soldier who struck up a correspondence with a girl he did not know and joining the Corps de Afrique, took a furlough to marry her.
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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