Letters of Sylvester McElheney, 1864-65

• Sylvester McElheney to Harriet McElheney, October 6, 1864

  McElheney tells about his sightings of rebels while out on picket and describes the shooting of a soldier who tried to desert. He also expresses his love for his wife, Harriet.

• Sylvester McElheney to Harriet McElheney, November 29, 1864

  Reports on the health of soldier friends and discusses family finances.

• Sylvester McElheney to Harriet McElheney, December 14, 1864

  McElheney describes the grisly execution of two deserters from his regiment. He also tells about the burning of houses in Virginia in retaliation for the burning of Chambersburg.

• Sylvester McElheney to Harriet McElheney, December 17, 1864

  McElheney asks his wife for a report on their farm animals and tells her that he does not need any more money.

• Sylvester McElheney to Harriet McElheney, March 1, 1865

  McElheney scolds his wife for not writing more often. He also writes about applying for a furlough and making rings out of rebel shells.

• Sylvester McElheney to Harriet McElheney, March 20, 1865

  McElheney discusses plans for raising sheep on the family farm. He also tells his wife that he sent her money and reassures her that he is doing well.

• Jacob Shearer to Harriet McElheney, March 26, 1865

  At Sylvester McElheney's request, Shearer writes to Harriet McElheney to tell her that her husband has been wounded but is expected to recover. He was shot in the leg when Confederate soldiers broke through their regiment's picket line.

• Frances Pleasants to Harriet McElheney, May 10, 1865

  Pleasants describes Sylvester McElheney's last days before dying in a Philadelphia hospital. McElheney's mental capacity suffered at the end, and Pleasants reassures Harriet McElheney that the hospital staff treated him very kindly.