1863, Original CIVIL War Manuscript Letter, Fort Mchenry, Baltimore, David Light

[Civil War Manuscript Letter - Fort McHenry, 1863]. Autograph Letter Signed to his cousin Henry, from Fort McHenry, Maryland, dated March 12, 1863. A single piece of paper measuring approx.

8 x 10 inches, folded in half to create four pages with text on three sides. Penned in brown ink in a neat hand.

With the original mailing cover (address panel only), inscribed: "Battery H / 1st Pa Marine Ft / Fortification Arty / Fort McHenry / Baltimore Md, " with a 3-cent Washington stamp with cancellation. Two horizontal creases from being folded, small loss, minor toning and discoloration; overall very good and legible. A warm, vividly descriptive wartime letter written by Private David Light of Battery H, 1st Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery (sometimes styled "Marine Fortification Artillery"), stationed at Fort McHenry during the American Civil War. Light writes to his cousin Henry, offering reflections on soldiering, his health, and life at the historic Baltimore garrison. He describes local excursions to the Washington Monument, the Baltimore courthouse, and Fort Federal Hill, noting the number of steps in the monument and offering his opinion that Fort McHenry is "a nice place, " preferable to other posts.

Particularly striking is his account of a serious fire on base that consumed two barracks buildings and destroyed equipment belonging to several officers, including two lieutenants. A fine example of a soldier's personal correspondence from a critical federal installation in a divided border state. Fort McHenry, famous for its defense in the War of 1812, played an active role in the Civil War as a prison and stronghold of Union control in Maryland.

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