Letter from Napoleon B. Brisbine to brother and sister, 1864

Language:

English

Scope and content:

Written from Winchester, Virginia. Letter describes being held prisoner in Winchester, where Napoleon B. Brisbine was captured while caring for Union wounded.

Other descriptive data:

Winchester, Virginia

Dear Brother & Sister-

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, the poet says. But I keep a stiff upper lip and don't trouble my heart about it. It they don't send me to Richmond I'll forgive them.

I have about thirty wounded on my hands yet. But they will soon be able for transportation and then I must make tracks one way or the other. I have no clothes but a common Privates suit and not a change of those. But I live fine, get plenty to eat from the citizens and am without exaggerating well fixed for a prisoner. I have heard since here by one of our own boys that my horses are safe and I believe my things. I don't suppose you could write and in fact it is very doubtful whether you get this yet or not. But I will risk it. I dare not write any news, but send this by a lady. Hoping you will receive it and don't fret for your Brother. N. B. Brisbine.

[at top, postscript from end of letter]

Subjects:

United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Prisoners and prisons
Winchester (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865
Correspondence

Access and use