CIVIL War 4th Of July Celebration Ragmonkeys Saloons And Rail Fences Letter 1861

Henry H Hitchcock of Otisco, New York enlisted 1861, was wounded at Ball's Cross Roads, Virginia, August, 1861 and died of illness at Washington a month later. An original July 5, 1861 letter to Hitchcock from a lady at Syracuse, signed "Nellie" (Nellie Curtis of Marietta, NY), with a description of the Syracuse Celebration of the 4th of July including fireworks, a company of ridiculous "Rag Monkeys" (euphemism for ragamuffins) parades, saloons providing rail fences etc. "The only decent celebration" was by the Irish & Germans. She also names friends home on leave.

4pp ink, minor edge wear, Overall VG. The letter comes with a Patriotic Cover showing the American Flag, and is inscribed to Hitchcock, C/O Captain (Morris) Church 12th NY Col.

(Ezra) Walrath, at Washington DC. The postal cover gives her return address as Marietta, NY, is much worn and missing the stamp. And a transcript of a June, 1861 letter from Hitchcock predicting the War will end soon. NOTE: Any repair to a paper item is listed. I use only museum curator approved archival repair tape. All items are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic and in the condition as described.

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