September 10, 1862: George Eyster to John Riddle Warner

John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. George Eyster was his brother-in-law and lived in Chambersburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Chambersburg

Sept 10, 1862

Dear John,

The rebel General Jackson, with Twenty thousand men, is approaching Hagerstown. His advance were within sight of the town an hour or two ago—say from five to six o’clock. The government telegraph operator destroyed its apparatus and left. The only force between us and them is a couple of hundred cavalry at Greencastle. The news I have given you is reliable. How I have obtained it, I’ll not stop to tell. There is considerable excitement in town to-night, although not so much as some say now. The County Records are being packed for removal in case of necessity. We will have [cadettes?] out to-night.

Yours

Geo Eyster

Citation: George Eyster, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner.  Chambersburg, Pa.; 10 September 1862. Moore VI:05:10