McSherry, Anna (b. 1833) to Henry F. McSherry
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.21.20 Author/Creator: McSherry, Anna (b. 1833) Place Written: Martinsburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter Date: 22 February 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.1 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Reports that it has been snowing all day long. Says she has not heard from him "for sometime." References the military situation around Martinsburg, saying "the cavalry may make a dash at any time, they are all around and captured a picket guard between here and Winchester two or three days ago." Mentions other skirmishes and troop movements and says a railroad in Mercer County is being guarded. Refers to her state as "W. Va." on page 3, about 5 months before it became a state. Says she might go to Baltimore to visit their sister Kate soon. Says one of their neighbors was arrested for having letters in his possession that were going to the South. On a postscript written on 3 March she says the family received a newspaper announcing the death of their cousin Letitice(?) Davidson in St. Louis on 17 February. Was surprised that "Henry" was mentioned as being present at her death and that he "was not killed, he might have been badly wounded in Tenn." Extensive water damage and fading throughout the letter.
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