Maine History Online

Writing from the 1st Maine Cavalry Camp near Warrenton, Virginia, in January 1864, Pvt. John P. Sheahan tells his parents about his continuing sorrow at the death of his brother William in November at Rappahannock Station.

Sheahan wrote, "he died a most brave and gallant soldier." He told his parents not to put a stone on his brother's grave because he wanted to get a stone for it when he returned from he war.

He also reported that he was studying infantry tactics and was to take an examination in several weeks.