Contributed by Fifth Maine Regiment Museum
Description
John French, who enlisted in Co. B of the Maine 5th Infantry Regiment in June 1861, wrote to his brother two days after the Fourth of July to reassure him that, "I am well and feel good." He mentions several features of camp life in Washington, including the regiment's brass band and his childhood friends from Albion, also in the service, whom he sees frequently. He describes the first slaves he has seen, writing that they "looked about as I supposed they would."
This letter also contains a quick aside describing French's sighting of Abraham Lincoln: "I see Abe Lincoln last night he passed by here in his caridge he is a good looking man not half so homly as he is represented to be."
French says that if he can find any, he will send his brother "some paper," which may refer to the sheet music contained in his other letters, or to the kind of paper he has written his letter on: it is illustrated with a colored engraving of the Senate Chamber.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: John French letter to brother, Washington, D.C., 1861
- Creator: John French
- Creation Date: 1861-07-06
- Subject Date: 1861-07-06
-
Locations:
- Albion, Kennebec County, ME
- Washington, DC
- Media: Ink on paper
- Object Type: Text and Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- United States. Army. Maine Infantry Regiment, 5th (1861-1864)
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives
- Letters
- French, John--Correspondence
- Slaves--Washington, D.C.
- Slaves--Virginia
- Presidents--United States
- United States Senate Chamber (United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.)
- Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Fifth Maine Regiment Museum45 Seashore Avenue, PO Box 41, Peaks Island, ME 04108
(207) 766-3330
Website
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