Civil War Letter From George E. Haines Regarding the Death of his Friend on the Battlefield

Falmouth, VA, 1865. There is a large water stain that appears on both sides of the letter, however it does not effect readability. Toned due to age.. 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" manuscript license to preach. At a meeting of the association of Tolland County convened at Tolland Dec. 28, 1835, the bearer, John Haven, a member of the Theological Institute of Connecticut was examined as to his doctrinal & experimental knowledge of the Bible, his views in entering the ministry and of his ability to teach, and approves and licenses to preach the gospel for the time of four years". he letter is addressed to "Dear Sir", but it is clear that he is addressing a family member or close friend of Stephen, and is in fact responding to their request to tell them of his death. George starts his retelling by stating he and his company were in the middle of a retreat and he was about 20 feet in front of Stephen when he heard him cry out. "I looked around and Steve had both hands up to his breast and was bent over and looking at me. At that time, all of our company had gone but me and I was left all alone but I ran back the moment I saw him and caught hold of him and asked him where he was struck but he could not speak or did not know that he was stricken, for I had hardly taken hold of him before he fell. I looked in his face and spoke to him but I say that it was useless for he was to all appearances dead. I should not feel so confident but I have seen so many die on the battlefield." He continues on to describe how he had to leave Stephen behind as the enemy was close, "I hardly know how I managed to get out of it safe and I think it was a miracle that I did so. I hardly know what made me, but I wished after I joined the company that I had laid down beside Stephen and let them take me prisoner for about all my patriotism vanished." At the end of the letter, even though George is convinced that Stephen is dead, he does add a post script detailing where wounded from the battle were taken, but also adding that the dead have been buried by "either our men or the Rebels." Measures 7 3/4" x 5 3/4