Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Pvt. John P. Sheahan of Dennysville, serving in Co. K of the 1st Maine Cavalry, wrote to his father about his regiment's activity on picket duty at Potomac Creek.
He wrote that the guerrillas were "thick as black flies" and Union soldiers couldn't go far outside the picket line without getting shot or being taken prisoner.
He also reported having seen his older brother, William, a sergeant in the 6th Maine Infantry.
Sheahan enclosed a piece of army telegraph wire in his letter. He wrote, "You will see them laying all along the ground in a fight and on the the trees, keep it for a curiosity."
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Pvt. John Sheahan letter on picket duty, Virginia, 1863
- Creator: John Parris Sheahan
- Creation Date: 1863-05-24
- Subject Date: 1863
-
Locations:
- Dennysville, Washington County, ME
- VA
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 20.3 cm x 12.7 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 184, Box 1/4
- Collection: John Parris Sheahan papers
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Guard duty
- Letters
- Military life
- Sheahan, John Parris--Correspondence
- Soldiers--Maine
- Telegraph wire
- United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives
- United States. Army. Maine Cavalry Regiment, 1st (1861-1865). Company K
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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