Mortimer, Caleb C.E. (1835-1862) to his wife
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01898.18 Author/Creator: Mortimer, Caleb C.E. (1835-1862) Place Written: Yorktown, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 May 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions a Union hot air balloon that was used for reconnaissance. "Our big Balloon is just making preparations to take a look at the rebs they are getting very vicious and they make night hideous with the howling and bursting of shells..." Describes skirmishing near Yorktown during the Peninsular campaign and mentions that the pickets on both sides are firing at each other all day and night. Written from Camp Winfield Scott.
Caleb Mortimer enlisted on 5 September 1861 as a 1st Lieutenant and was commissioned into the Massachusetts 3rd Light Artillery. He was wounded at Gaines' Mill, Virginia on 27 June 1862 and died the next day.
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