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Excellent four page 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry letter. Written to D. W. Clark from his father, Chaplain O. B. Clark. Dated October 10th, 1864 and written in period brown ink. Wear as shown, fold splits repaired with professional archival tape.

$195.00 plus shipping

"Park Station, Virginia,
Oct. 10, 1864
Dear Brother,

Though it is late, and I am somewhat fatigued with the days work and excitement yet I feel inclined to spend a few moments with you this evening. And just here it will be just as well to apprise you at the onset that you will find nothing new or strange for just now. The organ of Marvel with me is unusually quiet. As you have already seen our forces on the left have made another advance. Like all preceding advances it has cost blood yet we hold securely all the ground gained.

We have not yet crossed the South Side Rail Road yet we are near enough to it to hear the Reb cars, though it is not probable they make any unnecessary noise just now. Our men are all in fine spirits and full of confidence from the Commander-in-Chief down. To all human appearance, the days of rebellion are numbered and its doom is irrevocably sealed. Deserters are all the time coming in. Both they and prisoners all tell the same story of destitution suffering and hopelessness for their cause.

This of course elates the feelings of our boys and causes them to feel that the war has not been a failure. The assertion of the authors of the Chicago platform to the contrary, not with-standing I am told the most rabid secessionist around here snatch at Green Backs with as much avidity as a hungry dog does a piece of meat. Whatever may be their feelings in regard to their government one thing is certain they have no confidence in its promise to pay.

I have been at the front all day. Colonel McCoy got back last night apparently in fine spirits. Our Penna Regiment held their election today. The vote was like a jughandle all on one side. They took an informal vote on president this morning. One hundred and thirty eight voters were present. Of this number one hundred twenty one were cast for Lincoln and seventeen for McClellan. This is about the way. The whole thing will run all through the army. So much for the army vote.

The Third Division has advanced its lines about 3/4 of a mile today. There was heavy cannonading all last night through the day and still continues this evening in the vicinity of Fort Warren. For two days the rebs have been cross as bears.

I saw Harry today. He feels badly enough about you leaving. They expected a great horse race today near the yellow house, but for some reason it did not come off. General Griffin's gray was one of them. Our lines now extend from the Fort on the right of the yellow house (Fort Wadsworth) to within a mile and a half of the South Side road. They cross the Vaugn road—our left resting on the plank road running from Stone creek to the South side road. We have a much better and realistic position than we had when you left. It is said that Rebs charged our center last night three times and were repulsed each time. I have written enough for once I think. My health continues good. Tell Ma and Vernie not to worry about me for I am old enough to take care of myself. Love to Bell and all.

Good night
your father
O. B. Clark"