William P. Allcot, in camp 25 miles from Williamsburg on the road to Richmond, Virginia to "Ma", his mother, Clarissa, New York, New York, 1862 May 11

Abstract

Is happy about his mother's health; describes scene of dead and wounded, and the Battle of Williamsburg; Captain ? Lee of the 5th North Carolina Regiment and his paucity of remaining manpower; the demoralized state of the Confederate forces; corrects his mother's misconception about the material state of the Union forces; the destruction about him; return of property to a Union sympathizer; rumor of Norfolk, VA in Union hands; he will send money to his parents. Letter written on letterhead showing a radiating circle bordered in red and blue, and containing an eagle standing on a red and white striped shield, while grasping a sword and struggling with a snake, against a blue background emblazoned with a partial circle of stars. 4 pages. Autographed letter signed.