This very religious letter was written by Pvt. Joseph D. Wyman of 13th Maine Infantry Volunteers to his wife, Ada. When he wrote it in July 1863, it appears he was detached from his regiment working as a hospital attendant on "Ship Island" off the coast of Mississippi. Wyman reenlisted as a veteran, but did not survive the war. He died of “acute diarrhea” at the Armory Square General Hospital in Washington D. C. on 29 July 1863. Wyman was initially buried at Arlington Cemetery in Grave 21, Range 3, Block 2B but his body was exhumed on 26 November 1864 and returned to Freeport. A complete transcription of the letter is included on the fifth picture in the photo gallery. Note: This description was corrected on 04/21/22.  
 
 [Civil War, Union, Confederate]