1898 - Spanish-American War Letter from Camp Alger in Dunn Loring, Fairfax County, Virginia

Item Details

June 14, 1898

Fair to good condition, some foxing to first page.

This is a fantastic letter written on patriotic flag stationery by a young recruit from rural Charlotte County, Virginia who was undergoing training for the Spanish-American War. In the 3rd Va Regiment Co. M U.S.V., Private Woodson transferred from Camp Lee in Petersburg to Camp Alger in Dunn Loring, Fairfax County. Here he labored with another 30,000 volunteers to establish the training camp and wrote this eight-page letter to his sweetheart "Ida" dated June 14, 1898. Whereas the full content is reserved for the buyer, here are some interesting highlights:

• Inoculations "All the boys nearly have sore arms." 
• Early efforts to establish Camp describing exhausting work in clearing ground and digging wells with the Farmville, Virginia Company, etc.
• Food and water were scant at times with bathing at the creek and sleeping on the ground.
• For several days diet consisted of hardtack, fried bacon and bitter coffee. "I thought I would perish."
• Local enterprising farmers' wives would come and sell fried apple pies and milk.
• This ends after fellows in a Michigan Company have a race to see who could eat the most pies.
• The winner dies after eating 22 pies and the authorities ended pie and milk sales.
• Mentions that one Regiment of Colored Troops [9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Battalion] were some distance from them and "I am glad of it."

8 pages folded measure 4 1/2" x 7" and will be shipped to you postpaid by USPS Priority Mail.