Henry’s gravestone at Fredericksburg Nat’l Cemetery
This letter was written by Henry Reinhart (1818-1863) of Co. A, 96th Pennsylvania Infantry. Henry was a 43 year-old shoemaker from Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, when he enlisted in the service in August 1861. He died of disease in the regimental hospital at White Oak Church, Virginia, on 23 March 1863 of chronic diarrhea. He was originally buried at Shelton’s Farm, Stafford, but later reinterred at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.
Henry wrote the letter to his wife, Lavinia Reinhart (1818-Aft1900). Their children included Guy (n. 1853), Henry (b. 1855), William (b. 1857), and Walter (b. 1860).
The 96th Pennsylvania at Camp Northumberland in 1862
TRANSCRIPTION
Camp Northumberland [Virginia]
March 9th 1862
Dear wife,
I write these few lines to you hoping to find the family well as these few lines have me at present. I would wish to inform you that I was in Washington the other day and I saw my brother & sister but my sister was sick.
Dear wife, I am sending 2 certificates in this letter and you will give Mrs. Sterling one of them and then I can draw the money as usual. When you write, let me know whether you got the box that was sent to Mrs. Sterling. There was a blanket, a pair of pants, and 2 pair of stockings belonging to me in it. I would have sent some money but our old boss is not back yet. He has been away 3 weeks. When you write again, let me know how much money you have drawn. You will get 20 dollars when you show this certificate. And send me a half dozen of letter stamps in your next letter. I would also wish to inform you that we expect to march every day.
I will now enclose by sending my love to you and the children. I remain your husband, — Henry Reinhart
Direct as before.
March the 10th, 1862
This morning at 2 o’clock we are packing up our things. We will start at 9 o’clock. Our destination is not know. Good bye to you all. — Henry Reinhart
John Sterling. Write. The mail will come after us.
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