Letter written to husband in the army in 1863 from Cashtown (just outside of Gettysburg). Click photo and "Detailed Description". (SOLD)
This is a letter written to Private David Hafer from his wife back home in Cashtown, Pennsylvania, just outside of Gettysburg. At the time of this letter, Private Hafer was serving with Company D, 158th Pennsylvania Infantry, which was a nine-month unit. It is dated April 28, 1863 and is addressed to “Husband”. It is four pages on one sheet and written in period brown ink.
Being that Hafer (misspelled as Hoffer on one document), was a Pennsylvania farmer, much of the talk was about crops and planting….and of course, money and the children. In one part it states “Naomi (their daughter) told me yesterday I wasn’t listening to Pop (Hafer) for he said I should get somebody to dig the garden for me but I think if I don’t do too much at once, I can get it done myself and then I’ll have nobody to pay”.
She closes with the poignant statement “I will close by asking our Heavenly Father still to guide and direct us by his holy will and stand by us in all hours of danger and distress and if it be his will, spare us to meet each other and long never more to be thus separated. So no more this time but believe me as ever your affectionate and ever loving wife”. Only two months after this letter, the worst battle in history would take place almost right in her backyard.
Four months later Hafer was home after mustering out of the 158th. However, he would again join the army in February, 1865 with the 79th Pennsylvania Infantry, where he participated in the actions in Georgia. By July, 1865 he would be home for good.
This is a beautifully written letter and easy to read; it has also been transcribed into a typed copy (included). Along with the letter, I will include what records I have on Hafer and the 1880 census on the Hafer’s with their 11 children. This is truly a great war time letter and would go great in a display of a soldiers personal effects. (SOLD)
Manufacturer: N/A
SKU: 0528101
