Ned Mitchell letter from Maryland, 1862

Ned Mitchell letter from Maryland, 1862
  • MMN Item 35604
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Description

Sgt. J.E. "Ned" Mitchell of the 10th Maine Regiment wrote from "Ellicott's Mills" Maryland to Persis Blanchard of Cumberland. He always addressed her as "sister" in his letters, although the two were not siblings.

He wrote that his regiment expected to go to Harper's Ferry, but did not. The regiment was guarding rail lines. He called the location "first rate" and noted that they "treat the soldiers right." He also wrote that the town had 300 factory girls.

He and other officers helped several young women get away from drunken soldiers. Their mother invited the officers in and they had visited several times a week.

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