American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

Autograph letter signed ("Corpl. William A. Smith") from Corporal William A. Smith, Co. D, 116th Pennsylvania Infantry, to his father, mother, and sisters. Cliffburne Barricks [sic], [Washington, D.C.], 12 May 1864. 3pp, 5 x 8 in. (creasing at folds, minor scattered spotting), Accompanied by a blue silk flag fragment with remnant of painted gold on fabric, approx. 3 1/2 in x 3/4 in. (fraying at edges). Both transmitted in original cover to Mr. John M. Smith of West Chester, Chester Co., Pennsylvania.

Writing from Cliffburne Barracks Post Hospital, Smith informs his family that he is well and hoping for a chance "to get to Phila to take care of the sick and wounded men their [sic] in some of the Hospitals...But I donte care ware they send me so they donte send me in Virginia again I hate to cross the Potomac for I have crossed it so often now I hate see the site of it...." On the fourth page of the letter he writes, "I this you will find a peace [sic] of the olde Battle Flag of the 116th Penn Volls the first Flag that we had it was tore all to peaces with Bulets and Shell. This is all of it I got."

HDS indicates that William A. Smith of Philadelphia, PA enlisted on 8/21/1862 as a private and mustered into "D" Co. Pennsylvania 116th Infantry. His age at enlistment was 27, his occupation as “Rail Roader.” The 116th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was recruited from among the Irish Americans of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1862. At the end of August 1862, the regiment was ordered to report to Washington, D.C., and was assigned to the Irish Brigade, which was the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, II Corps, Army of the Potomac. At the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, the 116th charged up Marye's Heights. The regiment remained heavily engaged throughout its term of service, including at the Battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, and Cold Harbor. Written in May 1864 during Grant's Overland Campaign, Smith's letter was likely written in the aftermath of hard-fighting at Cold Harbor and Spotsylvania CH.