Sender Herbert(?) Edmiston, notes being at Thornsburg and heads letter as "Lincoln Co Ky August 19th, 1863".
He is writing his son and daughter. He relates that many soldiers are passing by toward Tennessee. They are going to take Knoxville and kill, take prisoner or drive the last sesesh out of East Tennessee. He notes too that there are 12 or 14,000 at Crab Orchard.
This would be Burnside's Union Army of the Ohio. On September 1st, they would take Knoxville. In mid-November, Confederate General Longstreet would besiege them in Knoxville.
Other names mentioned in the letter include: Polly George, Coon George, John Kenedy, Jake Adams and Thomas Nailor.
There was a Thornburgh in Webster County, but that doesn't seem to line up. Edmiston's Thornsburg must have been relative near Crab Orchard - and may now be a long forgotten spot.
Buyers from China, please notify me with your intent to purchase. We'll need to add a shipping carrier, before you purchase. Thanks, Chris
To international buyers: if you ship to a US address, shipping for most items is free - unfortunately I can only use eBay international Shipping outside the US. With all the new customs, tariffs, taxes, it is not possible for me to ship any longer at simple First Class Letter. Also, items have begun taking 2 to 4 months to reach their destination, and sometimes they are simply disappearing. eBay International
provides tracking and insurance so that we both are covered all the way
through. Perhaps shopping for a few
additional items will make it more worthwhile for buyers, as shipping cost will
remain unchanged. A multiple item purchase too can receive a discount. Thanks