Civil War–dated ALS in pencil, signed “O. E. Briggs,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.75 x 8, colorful patriotic Ambrose Burnside letterhead, December 25, 1862. Letter home to a friend. In part: “It doesn’t seem much like Christmas today and I have eaten the poorest Christmas dinner today that I have ever ate in my life…Part of our guns arrived today, they are Enfield rifles. Last Monday afternoon the ladies of N. York presented the ‘Ironsides’ with a beautiful silk banner. Our regiment is not more than half full and probably will not be filled before we leave and if it should not be, it is thought that we will be taken to Washington or New Orleans…I am getting anxious to see the capitol of my country even if it does smell of powder.” In fine condition, with some writing a couple shades light.
