Civil War Letters From John White Geary Written By William Alan Blair Presentation By Quentin, Gracie, and Ravyn

My dear & Beloved Wife, Your esteemed letter was received this morning, and although a "pile" of others accompanied it, I of course gave it my immediate consideration. Thank you, my love, for the many expressions of affection. Thank you for the many kind remembrances it brought to the mind in one, who though absent in the body, is nevertheless with you in spirit. I wish I could see you all a few minutes just now, everything is quiet in Camp -- it is high noon. The soldiers are slumbering around me, enjoying the genial coolness of the shade.

The scenery around Harper's Ferry is majestically Grand, and such as bears an Almighty impress, and although all the magnificent works of art for which this valley has been so long famed have been destroyed by ruthless hands, still the hand of man is impotent in defacing its natural beauty. Large numbers of troops are daily arriving -- the three months Reg'ts are nearly all gone home. The Army is {in} good spirits and anxious to redeem the honor of our nation.

Willie is a good, obedient boy -- shoots marks with men, and sometimes excels them. He seems to enjoy the martial life. He wishes for Eddie's presence. He sends you and all his love with kisses to Mary. As an evidence that he thinks of home I observe his scribbling about the tent the name of "Mary C Geary.“ My dear wife, the Bugle Call has sounded. I must close and drill with my Regt. Write soon. May God bless you and our dear little ones is the prayer of your absent and loving husband John White Geary Tell Eddie to get every {thing} right at home and come on.

Questions on letter (we answer) Who is the author? John W. Geary 2. Who is the intended audience? Mary C Geary 3. What was going on while the letter was written? Civil War 4. Is there bias in the letter? Yes, because John W. Geary was sending it to his wife and children which we would think is love.

Now for your questions What do you think was happening when the letter was written at the camp where John was staying? What do you think that John was seeing when the letter was written?

Letter #2 My Dearest Mary The enemy acknowledges his threshing by attempting to leave for Virginia. We left Gettysburg this afternoon and marched to this place where we are now in camp. We start again at 6 a.m. in pursuit of the fugitives. My health is good, but I am much fatigued. Eddie is also here and is in similar condition with myself. The enemy are being pursued with great vigor, and many of the stragglers are hourly captured. I have seen so much death and suffering this month that I am perfectly sick of the times. My very clothes smell of death. The stench of the battle fields was horrible and beyond description.

Questions on letter Who is the author? John W. Geary Who is the intended audience? His wife Mary and his children What was going on when the letter was written? John was marching to catch some fugitives Is there bias in the letter? Yes, there is bias in the letter because the letter is to his beloved wife and kids.

Questions for you You read the letter would you think that killing people for country and win for peace would you fight or try to stop it with out killing? If you were mary what would you think was going to happen after the war happened?

Letter #3 My Dearest Mary Four days ago our Corps started after Joe Johnston. We went only about 15 miles when he agreed to surrender, and did surrender.31 So we marched back to this most beautiful city. Peace, sweet peace is made and to-morrow we set out for Richmond and Washington City on our way to home, sweet home. And now we can truly say, " Johnny comes marching home" in the language of the song. Thus you see I had the honor to participate in the last campaign of this ever memorable struggle.32

All is joy and gladness here among all classes. The glory and honor be to God, to whose great name we ascribe all praise. May He protect us during the march homeward and give us a joyful and happy meeting. Kiss the children. Give love to friends. Ever your loving husband J.W.G.

Questions on the letter Who is the author of the letter? John W. Geary Who was the letter written to? Mary C. Geary What was going on when the letter was written? John was coming home to his family 4. What was going on nationally when the letter was written? The civil war was ending and all of the troops were going home.