This four page letter in nice dark ink with its “Richmond, Va. Oct. 21, 1861, Due 5” cover is just about picture perfect!  The writer John E. Parker puts his I.D. on the cover as “Kirkwood Rangers, S. C. V.”  Parker is writing his sister Anna in Charleston, South Carolina. 

In this letter, Parker is quite enamored about his life living in a “Sibley” tent with six other soldiers.  He gives a great description of the city of Richmond including “the immense statute of Washington on horseback”.

Perhaps the most interesting description in Parkers letter are his thoughts on the different kinds of uniforms that he saw on the streets of Richmond,  “All shades and colors, some of the richest down to the most shabby in the world.” 

·         “Camp life is I have lived to learn very different from what I thought before enlisting, it is really
hard and what is much worse, dirty work.  There are seven of us in what is called “Sibley Tent” and
 how we manage to find anything we may want in the pile of blankets, saddles, boots, and everything
 else, is perfectly surprising.”

·         “The day before yesterday I had permission to go into Richmond, and while there thought it a
good opportunity to indulge in an extra fine dinner on a table cloth!  So to the exchange we went
and if everyone in the city was not of a military turn, I am sure our appetite would have astonished
them.  There are a “pile of soldiers” about this place.  I saw yesterday a regiment of cavalry pass
through one of the principle streets, it attracted little or no attention however, they seem to have
 got perfectly callous to the marching backwards and forwards of soldiers.”

·         “The city seems to be crowded, and almost everyone has some kind of a uniform on, they may be
seen of all shades and colors, some of the richest down to the most shabby in the world.”

·         “It is a beautiful city I think and the next time I have permission to leave camp will take a ride
through the principle streets and see what is to be seen, the immense statue of Washington on
horseback I saw it is a splendid piece of workmanship… the figures being capital.”

·         “…I was right in volunteering.  Although it is a very different thing from what one imagines
 before going into service.  I think I will know what work is before the year is out.  I feel quite sure
 it is going to prove of great service to me….”

If you live in Richmond or enjoy nice content Confederate letters that have their original cover, here is a gem for you!

#CG169 - Price $395