Rifenburgh, Peter E. (1843-1863) to brother and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08914.020 Author/Creator: Rifenburgh, Peter E. (1843-1863) Place Written: Camp Parapet, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 April 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 18.6 x 25.2 cm. Order a Copy
Glad to have received their letter. Is healthy; hopes this letter finds them in a similar condition. Has orders to head up the Mississippi River with 140 rounds worth of cartridges each. Thinks he is heading to battle. Is taking blankets and his knapsack with him. Cooks have received orders to cool extra rations for them to bring on the march. Is not afraid of death, and "if I get shot then I die in a good cause, but I don't think that gun even was made to shoot me." One of the guards shot a Rebel earlier in the week. He approached the camp, was ordered to stop, did not, and was shot. The Rebels have been trying to halt Union progress by destroying levees. Over 1,000 blacks have been enlisted to plug the hole in the levee.
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