John Sheahan wrote to his mother in Dennysville on Dec. 14, 1863 expressing grief at the death of his brother William in the war.
William Sheahan enlisted in Co. F of the 6th Infantry Regiment in July 1861 when he was 25. A corporal at enlistment, he was promoted to sergeant. He was killed at Rappahannock Station, Virginia, on Nov. 7, 1863.
His younger brother John enlisted in Co. K of the 1st Maine Cavalry in August 1862 at age 21. He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the 31st Maine Infantry in March 1864.
John also included a sketch of a Russian Army officer in the letter.