CIVIL War 38th Virginia Partial Soldier Letter Winchester Virginia

The 38th Virginia Volunteer Infantry "The Pittsylvania Regiment" was a notable combat unit in Pickett;'s Charge at'Angle the Battle of Gettysburg, as part of Armistead's Brigade. From1861-65 it lost over 500 men as battle casualties. This Original Partial Letter begins midsentence telling of the battle he was in- we whipped tham and killed 800 men, they said they'd won. He says there is much sickness here, some men dying every day, but more in the enemy's camp. Three Pennsylvania Regts have left Martinsburg for home. A man was shot in camp by comrade and Colonel Edmunds (KIA Gettysburg) has ordered all side arms taken from the privates.

He finishes'Your affectionate brother John. P 2 is a long PS- he reports that Ralph & Edwin (Herndon's brothers) & I are all in good health.

Some very sick men include Joe S Smith, AW Crane & HW Mead are in better health than we were in Richmond. The letter is signed Lieut John A Herndon, care Col Edmonds, 38th Regt Va Vols. John Herndon was WIA at Seven Pines along with many of his comrades, but fought until his 1865 capture at Dinwoodie Court House, ending the War a POW.

He is buried in Danville, Virginia. The letter is undated but mention of Colonel Edmunds (KIA Gettysburg) and comrades Smith & Crane both sick both died late July. 1861, dating the letter to July, 1861. 2pp 8 x 11 ink on gray paper, w age stains, edge wear, and archival repair on fold.

NOTE: Any repair to a paper item is listed. I use only museum curator approved archival repair tape. All items are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic and in the condition as described.

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