Gates, George (fl. 1861-1864) to Mrs. Morris Surry
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08988 Author/Creator: Gates, George (fl. 1861-1864) Place Written: Delta, Louissiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 February 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 25 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Union soldier reports on his capture as a spy, his escape, and fighting at Vicksburg, with a hand drawn map of the surrounding area. "I was taken prisoner near Jackson...ase a spie...I bribed a rebel Capt that youst to live in Chicago and got a sute of thayer clothes and the countersigne so that it enabled me to get out of thauer Pickets and I walked Ten miles and come to our Pickets... reported to Gen Sherman and he told me I had better lay still for a month or so and he wase a gayen to comence the assault in the morning and so I told him I would report to my Co and I have been with them ever since." Describes fighting following his return. Written to his aunt, in pencil. Written just across the Mississipi River from Vicksburg, in Louissiana. There is a drawing of a cannon being fired on Vicksburg on the envelope.
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