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Collection Reference Number GLC03523.52.15
From Archive Folder Collection of Thomas J. Kessler, G company, 1st regiment, Michigan, sharpshooters 
Title Thomas J. Kessler to Elizabeth N. Kessler reporting that 1500 Confederate prisoners have arrived in camp over the last two days
Date 26 September 1863
Author Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868)  
Recipient Kessler, Elizabeth N.  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Writes to his sister from Camp Douglas. Reports 1500 Confederate prisoners have arrived in camp over the last two days. Discusses two men who were killed in camp. The first was a sharpshooter who shot himself. The other was a "negro boy" who was shot by a guard. Writes, "… He felt getting Rather careless He was going to His quarters and crossed the gard [sic] when the gard [sic] Halted him 3 times and He did not stop the 4th time shot him…" Thanks her for the stamps. Encourages her to go to school this winter. The letter has a watermark on the top left hand corner. Addressee name taken from envelope.
Subjects Civil War  Military History  Union Forces  Soldier's Letter  Union Soldier's Letter  Prisoner of War  Military Camp  Death  Confederate States of America  African American History  Suicide  Injury or Wound  Education  Women's History  
People Kessler, Thomas J. (fl. 1843-1868)  Kessler, Elizabeth N. (fl. 1863)  
Place written Chicago, Illinois
Theme The American Civil War; African Americans; Children & Family; Health & Medicine
Sub-collection Papers and Images of the American Civil War
Additional Information Thomas J. Kessler enlisted as a private on 29 June 1863 at Edwardsburg, Michigan. On 8 July 1863 he mustered into "G" Co. Michigan 1st Sharpshooters. He was mustered out on 28 July 1865 at Delaney House, Washington, D.C.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
Civil War: Recipient Relationship Sister  
Civil War: Theater of War Main Eastern Theater  
Civil War: Unit 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, G company