Mary Shoop's Civil War letter collection

George Lemmon wrote a letter to his cousin Mary Shoop.

Mary Shoop and George Lemmon were both Grandchildren of George Remaley of Springdale Penna.

In this letter George discribes to his cousin the last days of The War Between the States. There are MANY more letters in this collection. I have plans for more posts. Most of these, are not Lemmon letters, most are from George Shoop, Mary's brother.

Camp Near Burks Station, Va. April 30



Cousin Mary,


Your welcome letter came to hand this morning. I was very glad to hear from you. I am in good health at the present time. I hope these few lines may find you all the same. We have been moving Camp today and building summer quarters. We have gay quarters built but I don’t think we will stay here very long. I think we are going back to Richmond or Petersburg closer to our base of supplies. The 5th and 2nd Corps moved in that direction this morning. The report is that we will remain here a few days yet.


Well Mary, I did not get time to finish this letter last evening. I was called on to draw rations. I will do as well as I can this morning. We had some rain here in the night and looks as if it will rain more today. I hope we will not have such a flood as you had the day I started to the Reg’t.


I suppose you have heard all the news about the last battle. I got through safe and was there when Lee surrendered to Grant. I was talking to your brother George when the news came that he had surrendered. I tell you there was a happy set of boys. The cheering went from one end of the line to the other, and our caps was flying in the air and all the brass bands was playing The Star Spangled Banner.


Well Mary, we got good news this morning that the rebel General Johnston has surrendered to Sherman. If this story is true, we will soon get home. I think the last battle has been fought. I don’t want to hear another cannon fired.


We got some very unwelcome news the other day about the assassination of the President. It created great excitement in our camps for several days.


Well Mary I think I will close. Your brother George is well. I send my best wishes to all the family. I will wait very patiently for an answer.


I remain, your cousin,


George Lemmon