Sunderland Family Correspondence - Letters Related to John
John Sunderland was a private in Company K of the 11th Cavalry unit NYSV, or "Scott's 900". He enlisted in Canton on Dec. 22, 1863 and served until December 16, 1864 when he died of small pox at St. Louis Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was 22 at the time of his death. The following are letters written by, and about, John.
| Date | Location | Excerpt | Image |
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| February 18, 1864 | Washington, DC |
"Dear Friends at home I take the present opportunity to write a fell [few] lines to you[.] Well I am not very well to day[,] I have had a... |
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| April 1, 1864 | Mississippi River |
"Home We are now in Camp on a confiscated plantation rented from the gouverenment" |
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| April 6, 1864 | Donaldsonville, Louisiana | "Have I received your kind and welcomed letter of the 20th this afternoon. it being the first that I have received from you since we left... |
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| May 1, 1864 | Donaldsonville, Louisiana |
"Dear Friends at home I received your kind and welcomed letter of the 5th day before yesterday and was glad to hear that you all wer well... |
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| May 15, 1864 | Donaldsonville, Louisiana |
"Dear Friends at Home. I again seete myself on the flore with an old box to write on to pen a few lines to you to let you know that I am... |
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| May 18, 1864 | "I received your very kind letter and hasten to answer it with sad news to write you. Your brother Darwin is killed or reported to be" |
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| June 5, 1864 | Donaldsonville, Louisiana |
"Dear friends at Home I received your kind and welcomed letter of the 8 May last Wedensday and was very glad to hear that you wer all well... |
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| June 26, 1864 |
Donaldsonville, Louisiana New Orleans, LA |
"Home Well I am still able to pen a few lines to you[.] I reseived yours of the 6th of June last Monday making the distence in 14 days... |
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| July 3, 1864 |
"Home I again seat myself to pen a few lines to you in answer to yours of the 18th of June in which I found the dollar bill but I did not... |
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| July 17, 1864 | Doil's Plantation, LA |
"Mother I again seat myself to pen a few lines to you to apprise you of my welfair[.] well I have ben quite sick for the last... |
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| July 24, 1864 | "Mother you wanted to know whether I had a bible or testiment or eny Christian friend." |
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| July 24, 1864 | Doil's Plantation, LA |
"Home I again seat myself to pen a few lines to y[ou] to let you know that I am quite well at present and hope that these few lines will... |
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| August 15, 1864 | New Orleans, LA |
"Dear Friends at home I again seat myself to pen a few lines to you in answer to yours of the 20th of July which I reseived a week ago... |
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| August 30, 1864 | New Orleans, LA |
"My Dear Uncle I wrote to the madame a few days ago telling her how John was getting along. I think you will be pleased to hear that he is... |
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| October 2, 1864 | New Orleans, LA |
"Dear Friends at home I again seat myself to pen a few lines to you to let you know of my welfair[.] I am still at my Uncles and am... |
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| October 21, 1864 | New Orleans, LA |
"Dear friends at Home I again seat myself to pen a few lines to you to let you know that I am ganing [gaining] some in flesh but feele... |
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| November 18, 1864 |
"Dear Brother Charley I take the presant opportunity to pen a few lines to you. I am sick in the hospital and suffring a goodele with the... |
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| November 24, 1864 | New Orleans, LA |
"Dear friends at home I take the presant opportunity to pen a few lines to you in answer to yours of the 2 which came to hand yesterday and... |
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| December 23, 1864 | New Orleans, LA |
"My Dear Sister He who doeth all things well, hath again called on you to mourn the loss of a son. Your Dear “John” is no more... |
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