Correspondence, 1862-1863

This series consists of ten letters sent from Herman Burhaus to one of his sisters. The letters are mainly personal, but often discuss aspects of military life in the Washington, D.C. area. One particularly informative letter discusses the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) and the Battle of Harper's Ferry. On October 9, 1862, Burhaus wrote: "I think the battle of Sharpsburg would have decided this war only for the traitor in command of Harper's Ferry. Miles should have held the place to the last man and he could have done so untill [sic] McLellan reinforced him, and the rebel army in Maryland would have been captured or destroyed..." Arrangement is chronological.