Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868) to his friends
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.52.32 Author/Creator: Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868) Place Written: Chicago, Illinois Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 February 1864 Pagination: 7 p. : envelope ; 20.3 x 25.1 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his friends from Camp Douglas. Informs them he does not believe that they will get a discharge and has given up trying. Notes two or three of the band members will be discharged. Comments their band finally got paid. Writes of the call for 500,000 more men to enlist. Relays a rumor about their regiment heading to Mexico to fight the French. Complains about the government's cheap clothing. Requests that they send him a shirt made out of a good flannel. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Letter is addressed to his friends but envelope is addressed to his father, A. P. Kessler.
Thomas J. Kessler enlisted as a private on 29 June 1863 at Edwardsburg, Michigan. On 8 July 1863 he mustered into "G" Co. Michigan 1st SharpShooters. He was mustered out on 28 July 1865 at Delaney House, Washington, D.C.
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