35th New Jersey Infantry - Death Notice - NEW

Item LTR-11759

Description

Two Original Civil War soldier's letters. 5 pages, written in period ink.

Letter #1
 
Gayoso Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee
March 28, 1864
 
Mrs. Annie Conover
 
Dear Madam,
 
Allow me to introduce myself to you as Reverend A.F. Bourns of Michigan, Delegate of the Christian Commission. In this hospital, I find your son, Peter, who says he has been sick for three months and has not written to you since that time.
 
He has been in this hospital since the 7th of March. He says he lay on the ground for two months, about 150 miles from Vicksburg in Tennessee. His disease is the diarrhea, and his feet were frozen at Union City. He has had a pain in his breast, worse than ever before.
 
He says he has been up some since he has been here, but he is not able to be up today. He has what he wants to eat, and on the whole, he has good care. Still, he would like to have you send him a box of provisions of some kind that would save in the shape of cheese, pickles, and preserves. He does not expect to go into the service again, but would like to get a furlough and come home when he gets able.
 
From your affectionate son
Peter W. Conover
By A.F. Bourns
 
His address is Memphis, Tennessee
Gayoso Hospital
Ward B
 
My own address is
Ann Arbor, Michigan
 
  
 
 Letter #2
 
 
Ann Arbor, Michigan
June 30, 1864
 
Mrs. Anne Conover
 
Dear friend,
 
I have just received a letter from Memphis containing intelligence concerning the death of your son, Peter.
 
I will give you the exact words:
 
Peter Conover died in Ward B, Gayoso Hospital, 31st of March. Mr. Green, whom you will remember, talked with him frequently upon the subject of religion, and thinks he died happy, though, just at the last, he did not rally sufficiently to say anything definite. We had spoken with earnestness about it and seemed to be willing to die. He suffered little, if any, pain throughout his sickness, and dropped off as one would go to sleep.
 
He made no requests and left no message for friends. He seemed to dwell wholly on things beyond, when able to think connectedly on anything. He was buried in the soldiers' burying ground near the fort. His grave is marked "Peter W. Conover, Private, Company I, 35th New Jersey Infantry." it can be readily and certainly found by reference to the books.
 
I need say no more, for the information is ample and satisfactory. It comes from Ms. M. E. Burrell of the Christian Commission in Memphis, and no doubt correct.
 
It is a sad thought that your son is dead, but it is a thought of comfort that he gave evidence of having died happy. Your case is one among thousands. Still, it is hard when it comes home.
 
“None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” These are the chosen words for the funeral discourse of another of our brave soldiers to be preached next Sabbath morning.
 
Your friend and Brother

A. F. Bourns