Name/Title
Letter from Petersburg, VA 1865Entry/Object ID
WHC 2009.182.1Scope and Content
Handwritten letter and envelope from John Lane to Julia Barrett and Mr. Barrett of Rockport, Maine. The letter is penned from the Union encampment near Petersburg, Virginia on 12 February 1865 and describes events foreshadowing the end of the Civil War. John Lane is the brother of James Lane, the donor's great-great-grandfather.
"Feb. 12th 1865
Camp in Field near Petersburg
Ms. Barrett Dear Sir,
I take the liberty to address you as a friend and waiting to hear how matters & things stand in Rockport. How are the copperheads? Do they squirm yet? I suppose they do some but it is about all over with them out here. I suppose you know all about peace matters and of Mr. Stevens and others going to treat for peace. They have gone [?] with a heavy load on their stomachs and cry war war through [?] press but they will soon get enough of war if they continue it. Another campaign with Grant to fight Lee & Sherman to march his army through Georgia & South Carolina. We will soon drive them into the bowels of Mother Earth which they deserve. Lee dare not move his forces from his strongholds at Petersburg. He knows Grant too well for that. There is a rumor in camp today that Stevens is at our lines again asking [?] [?] though I do not believe it; still, it may be so.
Well Mr. Barrett I should be pleased to have a line from an old patriotic friend stating how peace matters progress in our little village and your feelings in regard to the matter. As for myself I think things look favorable even if we have to open another campaign for with their resources they cannot stand it long. Although they hold up a very formidable front they are doing nothing in getting soldiers and they cannot for they have all they can get.
Attend my respects to your wife & family, likewise those of your friends who will except [sic] the respects of a soldier. But I must close so hoping to have a line from you soon. I am yours truly,
John Lane, Co. C
1st ME Calvary
Washington, DC
By the way, where is little Samuel? Tell the old gentleman I am still alive but not very well, have not been put before the [?[ yet for desertion as he said I should."Collection
Lane Family PapersCataloged By
Heather BilodeauAcquisition
Accession
WHC 2009.182Source or Donor
Gregg HainingAcquisition Method
GiftLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Battlefields, Civil wars, Correspondence, Soldiers, WarSearch Terms
Civil War, Maine, Rockport, Virginia, PetersburgArchive Details
Creator
Lane, JohnDate(s) of Creation
Feb 12, 1865Archive Notes
Date(s): 12 February 1865Location
Location
Container
WHC 2009.181/182/184 Box Wadsworth/LaneShelf
Shelf 2Cabinet
Vault Shelving Unit 2Room
Storage RoomBuilding
Walsh History CenterCategory
PermanentDate
October 21, 2025Location
Container
WHC 2009.182Room
Storage RoomBuilding
Walsh History CenterCategory
PermanentMoved By
Heather BilodeauDate
October 14, 2009Inventory
Inventoried By
Wyatt BerryInventoried Date
Mar 27, 2018Condition
Overall Condition
GoodDate Examined
Oct 14, 2009Examined By
Heather BilodeauRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Barrett, JuliaPerson or Organization
Lane, JohnGeneral Notes
Note
Status: OK
Status By: Heather Bilodeau
Status Date: 2009-10-14Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
October 14, 2009Updated By
admin@catalogit.appUpdate Date
October 27, 2025
