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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03523.43.05 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of John Reeser, B company, 197th regiment, Pennsylvania, infantry |
| Title | Hiram Detterline to John Reeser describing life in the Union army |
| Date | 29 December 1862 |
| Author | Detterline, Hiram (fl. 1862) |
| Recipient | Reeser, John |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes to Reeser wishing him well. States they will be heading to Richmond, Virginia. Comments on the boys being in good health and ready to fight the Confederates. Mentions hearing General Ambrose E. Burnside being defeated along the Potomac. Remarks on being in the Union army for sixteen months and being sick half of the time and wanting to take his ranks in the 97th regiment. Describes spending Christmas target shooting, having a foot race, wheelbarrow match, jig dancing, and tying "nigros" hands behind their back and having them search for a coin with their mouth out of a cornmeal-filled tub. There is a Hiram Detterline listed in the Pennsylvania 97th infantry; possibly the same man. |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Union Forces Soldier's Letter Union Soldier's Letter Health and Medical Confederate States of America Battle Union General Sports and Games Health and Medical Holidays and Celebrations African American History |
| People | Detterline, Hiram (fl. 1862) Reeser, John (fl. 1862-1865) Burnside, Ambrose Everett (1824-1881) |
| Place written | St. Helena Island, South Carolina |
| Theme | The American Civil War; African Americans |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | John Reeser enlisted as a Private on 16 July 1864. He was mustered into "B" Co. PA 197th Infantry. He was promoted to Corporal on 18 August 1864. He was mustered out on 11 November 1864 at Philadelphia, PA. Jones was part of Company B, 11th Cavalry. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Friend |
| Civil War: Unit | 197th Pennsylvania infantry, B Company |