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Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913 to Maria Damuth

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.14.63 Author/Creator: Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913 Place Written: Morganza, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 12.5 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Reports the deaths of more members of Company D at a fight against the Confederate Army on the Atchafalaya River. Mourns a friend and writes, "I cant think otherwise than that cotton and whiskey was the cause of Jeromes death… I do know that a great many of the Officers were beastly drunk." The men marched thirty-four miles in the heat after the battle, and "after the funeral I went into my tent and laid there till this morning." The Confederate soldiers have fortifications across the river, and Damuth writes that the Union soldiers will not attempt to fight again soon.

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