DESCRIPTION: Group of four Civil War Era letters sent between J.W. Smith and his wife Marie and Marie and her sister during Smith's service in the Union Army during the Civil War. J.W. Smith was a Private in Company "H" of the 87th Pennsylvania Volunteers under the command of Captains Ross L. Harmon, Wells A. Farrah and Philip Gentzler. 1) The first letter was sent to Mrs. J.W. Smith postmarked the Hall Post Office of York County, Pa. from husband John in New Creek Station, Va. He tells her he is well and was happy to receive her previous correspondence; that they will probably stay at their location for some time; that she should not believe the reports that Capt. Harmon had resigned because that was not true; that they received new guns, " the Enfield Rifle" and that they are the nicest guns they had received yet; that not so many of his fellow service men are getting sick anymore and most are recovering well; and that he will some money home as soon as he gets paid off. 2) The second letter was sent to Mrs. J.W. Smith postmarked the Hall Post Office of York County, Pa. from husband John from his camp in Beverly, Va. dated Nov. 5. He tells her his unit left Buchannon on Nov. 1 and arrived at Beverly, Va. on Nov. 2.; that his regiment will be leaving on a three day scouting mission but cannot say where; that two fellow soldiers were shot the night before trying to break guard and that both had died; that Company "H" will not be leaving soon and are probably destined to spend the winter in Virginia; that he heard Dave Goghenour had cut off his fingers to avoid joining the Army, Smith recommended that Goghenour should leave for parts unknown if Company "H" ever got home; and that he inquired about his brother David Smith. (Included are two one cent stamps) 3) The third letter was sent to Mrs. J.W. Smith postmarked the Hall Post Office of York County, Pa. from husband John from camp Jessie in New Creek, Hamplure County, Va., dated Aug.13. He tells her that he has not been well lately and is currently on the mend; that they were paid off and he has sent $25.00 home and for her to let him know that she received it. 4) The fourth letter was sent to Mrs. Marie Smith in Hall P.O. in York County from her sister in Harrisburg and is dated December 29, 1861. She tells her that she was happy to receive her letters; that she had gone to Sunday school with Amanda and had a good laugh; that she received three gifts for Christmas and it did not seem like hard times the way people were spending money for Christmas; and of courting and marriage and how she is happy she is not married yet. MEASUREMENTS: Various. Envelopes are approximately 5-3/8" x 3-1/8". CONDITION: Letters show moderate discoloration and wear at the edges. The envelopes show more significant wear and are opened on more than one side. The script is hard to read at times. ESTIMATE: $100-$200