Laughton, Joseph B. (fl. 1838-1865) to John H. Laughton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08654 Author/Creator: Laughton, Joseph B. (fl. 1838-1865) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 July 1862 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 21.5 x 13.3 cm. Order a Copy
Laughton, a Union soldier from New York taken prisoner at Libby Prison, writes about being captured on 3 July 1862. Reports that conditions are fairly good at the prison and he can finally rest from the fatigues of the campaign. "I was surprised to see how kindly they welcomed me & I must say that without any exception I have been used with respect by all - We get as good bread & meat as I could wish & are used as if we were their own people." States that the way he is treated is very different than what he was led to believe in the North, and that " ... if I ever get home again I shall look at things in a different light than I have!!" Asks him to write to his wife and to a man named Jim Dunlap in Brooklyn, New York. On page two there is a note signed John, most likely his brother, the recipient of the letter, asking Bill, possibly another brother, to send this letter on to their mother. Envelope addressed to his brother in Hardford, Connecticut.
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