CIVIL War 48th Pennsylvania Miners Letter Fort Sedgwick, Va W Good Content

The 48th Pennsylvania, composed of miners was a Schuylkill County infantry unit, famous for the construction of the famous tunnel under the Rebel lines under the direction of Colonel Henry Pleasants. The Mine Explosion created a huge Crater, but failed to dislodge the Rebel troops from the Petersburg Line.

An Original Civil War Letter from Private Tomas D Lewis at Fort Sedgwick, Virginia, January 8, 1865 to "Friend Lizzie", he reports he is'laying at Fort Sedgwick generally called Fort H--L. It is such a hot Place. The whole Line is thick with heavy guns etc. Our quarters are made like an Irishman's Goatpen- underground, covered w heavy logs to keep out the mortar shells the Johnnies throw at us.

Last week Johnnies threw shells at us and one fell through one of the houses and killed and wounded 15 men, some with their legs and arms blown off an awful sight. At night we must keep our heads low. Christmas was very dull, he misses his dear old home and loved ones, hopes it is the last one in VA. He asks her for her picture and closes give my love to all, and the greatest share for yourself. Thos D Lewis Co F 48th PV 1st Brigade, 2nd Division 9th AC, Washington.

Fort Sedgwick, also known as "Fort Hell" stood opposite the Confederate's'Fort Damnation at Petersburg. The fort, heavily built with bomb-proofs in late 1864 lay at a critical juncture of the Union Line, was under continuous shell-fire, and was one of the most frequently photographed forts of the War. It was also the scene of murderous infantry attacks by General Lee during the last Rebel Offensive, March, 1865.

Private Lewis born in Wales of a mining family, enlisted at Minersville, PA, and survived the War, and a notable citizen of Lackawanna County postwar. The Letter comes with a typed transcript. The letter is burnt along the margin affecting some text to a minor degree, is stained and fragile, with archival repairs on reverse.

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