Defoe, William W. (fl. 1864) to Emery Defoe
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04634 Author/Creator: Defoe, William W. (fl. 1864) Place Written: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 December 1864 Pagination: 8 p. : envelope ; 20.2 x 24.7 cm. Order a Copy
Defoe, a Civil War soldier, updates his parents on Union progress, stating "as yet we have had few killed the soldiers are all in good Spirits and fear nothing." Continues writing at a later time, requesting that if he is killed in battle, his parents ensure that his son George W. Defoe receives a proper education. Again resumes writing at a later time to relate the events of a recent battle, stating "this has been one of the bloodiest battles that has been fought since the war began. the Rebs have lost in killed and wounded Near (17,000) seventeen thousand." Accompanied by a United States Sanitary Commission envelope labeled "Soldier's Letter."
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