Keslar, Christopher (fl. 1864) to Edward H. Ogden
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.057 Author/Creator: Keslar, Christopher (fl. 1864) Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 June 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 19.1 x 11.3 cm. Order a Copy
Writes from camp near "Bever Damn." Believes that Ogden knows more about the war than the soldiers because she is able to obtain an overview of the various battles through newspapers, while the army cannot. States that the army is staying in "The Rifel [sic] Pits," waiting for the Rebels, that the Army of the Potomac has had "hard times," and that Richmond "must fall before the Summers Campaigning is over." Believes that if Richmond does fall into Union hands, the Rebels will evacuate the state of Virginia. Says he does not know what the country will come to if the war continues for several more years. Concludes by mentioning W. H. Gray, a soldier from whose arm he removed a musket ball, who is now at the hospital on Broad and Cherry Street. Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.
Sarah Perot Ogden was a Quaker from Philadelphia who took part in variety of philanthropic works such as assisting the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Philadelphia Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, and President of the Philadelphia Home for Incurables. Both Ogden and her husband, Edward H. Ogden, were strong supporters of the Union cause. During the Civil War Ogden volunteered in a military hospital where she made daily visits. Her husband served as a Union soldier.
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