3081

1st Maine Cavalry ALS 1862

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:NA
1st Maine Cavalry ALS 1862
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ALS from Charles F. Beal of the 1st Maine Cavalry, Company F. Datelined Seminary Hospital, Georgetown, 18 July 1862, Beal writes during a long spate of illnesses that would eventually claim his life. Excerpt: ''…Dear Father…all safe and sound…for which I am thankfull…if I ever should be so fortunate as to get home again you shall never have any caus to repent it…I shall never forget your kindness…I have thought in times past that you did not care any thing about me, but as I have grown older I hope that I have grown wiser and that old prejudices that I was want to hold…has all gone…as to my health the last letter I wrote…I was at work as an attendant…but…I was taken down again. it was to much for me…the…running a round from one end of the building to the other soon made me cave in…I am entertaining…thoughts about applying for my discharge…run down as I am if the Dr. should succeed in patching me up it could not be done so that I could stand camp life and exposure…the Dr that is attending me is doing all that any doctor can do…he is very pleasant and attentive…I have got a month longer to stay here unless they give me my discharge…I am very sorry that your health is so poor but I am glad that mother is better…grandmother you said was not so well…'' Charles Beal mustered into Company F on 19 October 1861. He remained in service after composing this letter and died of typhoid fever less than seven months later, on 8 February 1863. He was 20 years old. Before his death, Beal saw action at Middletown, Cedar Mountain and Second Bull Run. 3pp. letter measures 7.5'' x 10''. Slight separation at creases, otherwise near fine condition.