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Colby, Oren, fl. 1865 to Mr. and Mrs. Colby

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00272.02 Author/Creator: Colby, Oren, fl. 1865 Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: April 10, 1865 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20 cm, Width: 25.2 cm Order a Copy

Colby, 12th New Hampshire Volunteers, writes to his mother and father that the troops have heard of Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. Informs that during their celebrations a fellow soldier was hurt as they were firing off guns and lighting canteens filled with gun powder. He remarks that those who said the Confederacy would not fall must be feeling foolish now. Discusses the destruction of Richmond and says that the people are starving. The starving individuals beg the soldiers for food and eat rations the soldiers have thrown away. he states he gave a young boy sugar and coffee the other day. Encloses five dollars, and asks them to write a long letter soon.

Colby, Oren, fl. 1865
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

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