Autograph letter signed by Edward Humphrey, Co. A, 22nd Maine Infantry. Newport News, Virginia, 29 November 1862. 2 pages, 8vo, on illustrated patriotic letterhead printed in blue and red. With original envelope addressed to his wife Ann Humphrey of Hampden, Maine. With New Orleans cancel and red 3-cent stamp. 

A soldier's letter home to his wife. Written on patriotic letterhead that features a Zouave trampling a First National Confederate flag while brandishing a sword and grasping the American flag. Probably printed by the Philadelphia firm Magee (Milgram fig. 7-74). 

Writing to his wife, still early in his enlistment, he expresses anxiety that she is receiving his letters and money sent home. He writes: "keep up good courage for my time soon be up we have got some new guns ...one died here lately in this reg't." He concludes: "I hope I live to get home again..." 

Edward Humphrey enlisted on 10 October 1862 as a private in Company A of the 22nd Maine Infantry. They moved to Fortress Monre, where Humphrey wrote this letter. Shortly thereafter, however, as he predicted ("We are under marching orders liable to start any day or moment"), they moved south to Louisiana, where the letter, which bears a New Orleans cancel, was posted. 

In January, the regiment moved to Baton Rouge in preparation for operations against Port Hudson. Tragically, however, Humphrey contracted a "Brain Fever" and died at the U.S. General Hospital in Baton Rouge on 30 January 1863. 

References

James W. Milgram. American Illustrated Letter Stationery 1819-1899. Lake Forest, IL: Northbrook Publishing Company, 2016.