130. Kelley, D.O.
Four Page Highly Detailed Civil War Letter

Bolivar Heights, West Virginia: November 20, 1864
D.O. Kelley is tired of the war. Up to this point, his letters have been remarkable for their lack of negativity. Here, Kelley unequivocally states "…I do not like this place...…the duty is very heavy at the present time about the one half of the regt. Is out at Charlestown about 8 miles from here they are guarding the hands that is at work on the railroad from this place to Winchester our men are rebuilding that road again. The cars run about halfway from here to Winchester." The regiment experiences a demoralizing defeat: "…We had 6 men + 14 horses captured on picket the other night there was 16 men on the post all out of Comp F; there was about 50 of old Mosbey's men charged the post + our own boys made a stand dismounted but the Rebs was too heavy for them + they had to let their horse go glad to get away themselves." In exchange for not scouting or picketing, Kelley becomes the postmaster for the regiment. In addition, Kelley is instrumental in resurrecting the regimental newspaper, "The Guardian." Besides talk of the horses, the publication of the newspaper seems to be the only happy topic in this correspondence. With envelope, stamp and postmark.

100/200     SOLD: $270.25

Condition: Very Good