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Original handwritten Reconstruction-era letter dated December 28, 1865, written from Charleston, Tennessee, and addressed to Col. B. J. Hill, almost certainly former Confederate Brigadier General Benjamin Jefferson Hill of McMinnville, Tennessee. Written only months after the end of the Civil War, the letter offers a firsthand account of the hardships faced by Southerners during the earliest days of Reconstruction.
The writer asks Col. Hill for assistance locating a gold watch that had been left for repairs before the war, explaining that he had “lost everything by the war” and could not afford to replace it because it was needed in his professional practice. The letter references Atlanta, McMinnville, and Charleston, discusses attempts to locate the watch through mutual acquaintances, mentions the writer’s poor health, and provides a personal glimpse into the financial struggles and lingering effects of the Civil War on everyday life.
Condition is good overall with original mailing folds, light toning, and expected age-related handling wear. The handwriting is clear and legible throughout. Please review all photographs carefully for condition and content.
