1862 Civil War Letter — 67th Pennsylvania Soldier's Brother Shot at Antietam

Description

This letter, written on patriotic stationery featuring the unfinished Capitol dome at Washington and the caption “The House that Uncle Sam Built,” was written by Private William M. Hawk of the 67th Pennsylvania Infantry on October 8, 1862. His regiment was then serving in the defenses of Annapolis. Hawk, who writes using largely phonetic spelling, writes to his friends that he and Private Jacob Hawk—presumably a brother—are well. He writes that Jacob received a letter from another presumed brother, Private Linford Hawk of the 1st Pennsylvania Rifles (13th Reserves or best known as the “Bucktails”), who “was in 11 or 12 battles already” and that “when he was in that last battle he got shot through his coat on the left arm and he is not yet wounded….” This was presumably at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, where the Bucktails lost heavily attacking and holding the West Woods.
The letter was written on three pages of a 4-page letter sheet measuring about 4 3/4” x 8”. Excellent condition with light foxing and toning. Creased at the original mail folds. Includes a transmittal envelope, but with a Port Royal, South Carolina, postmark, which may be mismatched with the letter. The full transcript is below, which was edited for readability:
October 8 1862
Dear friends
I will take the pleasure to inform a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and I hope this will find you in the same health further. Jacob, he is well too, and all the rest of the boys [are] all well too so far as I know, and I just got a letter from home. The friends [are] all well at home, so far as she knew, and mother she received a letter from Martin. She was glad to hear from you friends all. And so mother received a letter from Linford. He was well so far. She was in Washington and he was well and he looked good enough. Jacob, he got a letter from him last week. He was in 11 or 12 battles already. When he was in that last battle he got shot through his coat on the left arm and he is not yet wounded, he did. Hard time so I will come to a close. Write [as] soon as you receive this. This is from your friend
William M. Hawk
Annapolis, Md
Co. A, 67 R. P.V.
Col. Staunton
Goodbye, I say to you all. I give my best respect to the boys. Then I say goodbye to you all good friends.
William Monrow Hawk
If you like to write to Linford, Washington D.C. Co. F first rifles P.R.V.C. General McCall’s division.
Tell Charles that he should write to me. I don’t know his last name and I don’t know where he is now.
Please see my other items for more interesting Civil War letters, documents, and images.
Foreign shipping is provided through eB
ay's global shipping program.