MSC201

Union Soldier's Camp Letter -- Lengthy extremely well written camp letter from a Union officer to presumably his girl friend. The letter written on high quality commercial letter paper is datelined "Camp 4 miles south of Woodstock Va April 6th 1862" to "My dearest Eliza." The writer of the letter is well educated, and the handwriting is very neat and easy to read. Affixed to the upper left corner of the letter is an unused CSA #1 stamp Stone 2 Position 12. The stamp is referenced at the end of the letter "I send you a specimen of C.S. postage stamps which is a fair sample in point of execution of the most of their handiwork unaided by the cursed Yankees." He does not say how he acquired the stamp. The first part of the letter references the recent military activity, and the second half of the letter is more personal. A full typed transcript of the letter is included. Also included is the original envelope but the Union stamp has been cut off at the right upper corner and all that remains is a portion of the Union Bank's Division BLUE postmark. Addressed to Miss E. M. Frazier, Susquehanna Depot, Susquehanna Co., Penna. The letter and the stamp are Very Fine. The letter is signed "Allen" and his unit is identified as Company A 39th Illinois Infantry 2nd Brigade Shields Division. It is clear from the letter that Allen is an officer as he makes a reference to "other officers" in the letter. In searching the records and the rosters, the only one who fits in Company A 39th Illinois Infantry is Lieut Allen B. Johnson (1835-1864) who must be the writer of this letter. There is very little information about Lieut Johnson. He was originally from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, but entered service in the 39th Illinois Infantry from Will County, Illinois. He died in September 1864, but the cause of death is not recorded. He is buried at the South Montrose Cemetery in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Since he is not recorded as a battle death, he presumably Died of Disease. "Eliza" is Eliza M. Frazier (1834-1916) listed on the 1860 Federal Census as living in Susquehanna Depot as per the address on the envelope. She lived her entire life at that location and is also listed on the 1910 Federal Census. She never married and is buried there. Judging from the letter, if Lieut Johnson had lived, the two of them very likely would have married.

$850.00

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