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"You boys are in a rather hard place...Times look rather dark."

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:35.00 USD Estimated At:70.00 - 90.00 USD
 You boys are in a rather hard place...Times look rather dark.
Poignant homefront letter on patriotic stationery, with large eagle and shield in red, blue, and simulated brown. From Lucretia Kass, West Almond (Allegany County, N.Y.), Apr. 9, 1862, 5 x 8 1/4, 2 pp. To V(aranes) B. McHenry (of 86th N.Y. Infantry, also known as the Steuben Rangers and "The fighting regiment of the Southern Tier"). "We are once more admonished of the shortness of life. We received the news of Henry's Death on Mon. evening ...which created sadness within...Henry had lived with us part of two years and we esteemed him as a friend very highly. Please to write to us about his sickness & death & burial. Give us all the particulars...From what I learn I think that you boys are in a rather hard place, but we are hoping that the time will not be long before you will be at home...Times look rather dark...." Inconspicuous repair of short tear on verso with tape, inlay at edge, touching one word and last name of signature, light toning, else V.G. With modern copy of McHenry's photograph and service record; just six weeks later, he would be discharged for disability. He was fortunate: the 86th lost a quarter of its men.