Franklin County: Josiah Bloss to His Sister, August 23, 1864
Summary:
Bloss writes that his brigade is fighting every day, and reports that he has had a letter
from the hospital steward where their brother died, regarding their brother's wishes about his
personal belongings.
His Sister
Aug. 23rd. 1864
Harpers Ferry
Dear Sister,
I received yours of the 17th. today I was very Happy to Hear that you were all well at Home, we had to fall back to Harpers Ferry as you can see through the papers, we are in General Sheridan's Department, & General [unclear: Merrid] commands our Division, Devins our Brigadier was wounded this week, and Colonel Cisanola commands the Brigade at the present. we are having fighting every day.
I am detailed at Brigade Head Quarters [unclear: shoeing] for Head Quarters, I won't have to go near a fight as long as I will be here, perhaps I will be here all summer just according to circumstances.
I had a letter from the Hospital Steward where William died at the U.S.A. Hospital stating William wanted him to send his watch to me, but, as they were going to send his valice & sabre & revolvers home he thought it best to send the watch along with them, you tell Mother to Keep the watch until I get Home, I also gave William a Revolver, a large Remmington Revolver, his own Revolver is silver mounted, you will also keep the one I gave him till I get Home, and his sabre and Revolver you will hang up in his room in memory of our Dear beloved Brother, as his sword has done his duty.
[page 2]
I send forty Dollars to you as I wrote to before, you will receive it from Fuller
in Scranton. I am well and in good spirits.
from your Brother
Josiah Bloss
Address as before
P.S. I made a present of a Revolver to James Ferry
and one to Joshua Ferry, tell James & Joshua Ferry that I am very much obliged to them
for their trouble in conveying William's
body Home until I can Pay them a better tribute.
J. Bloss
