The following letter was written by Milton Swope (1844-1899) of Upper Leacock, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. George claimed he was 19 years old when he enlisted as a private with Co. A, 99th Pennsylvania Infantry, but soon promoted to corporal. He re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer January 25, 1864, at Brandy Station, Virginia, and re-mustered there January 29. Wounded in action at Petersburg, Virginia, on September 30, 1864, he returned to duty and was promoted to sergeant March 1, 1865. He was honorably discharged with his company July 1, 1865.

Milton was the son of George & Mary (Kellenberger) Swope. In 1860 he was a laborer living with his widowed mother in Lancaster County and in the 1863 draft registration was still residing there. He stood 5′ 6″ tall and had brown hair and blue eyes.

He married Lydia E. Rutter and moved to Lancaster where he worked as a mail carrier and ultimately as postmaster. He died at his home following several months of being confined to his bed. He had been a member of Thomas Post No. 84, G.A.R. His obituary in the Lancaster News-Journal gives a glowing description of his character as well as an unusually accurate accounting of his Civil War service.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp near Burkes Station, Virginia
April 17, 1865

Dear Sister,

I now take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope this will find you the same. The weather is very fine at present but the roads are very muddy. It is so long since I wrote to you last that I don’t know what to write. I suppose you have heard the good news about Richmond and Petersburg and the surrender of Lee’s army. It was a hard blow to the Confederacy and I think its death blow. We had hard marching and fighting and rations were scarce but we are all satisfied now for I think the war will soon close and we can all return to our homes once more.

We had three men killed and three wounded in our company on this campaign. There is a report here that President Lincoln was murdered in the City of Washington. That is a sad blow to the country. I have heard soldiers say they would like to torture his assassin. He would be cut into mince meat.

Tell John that we will come on a visit in about two months and he shall have [a taste] of the very best rations, such as hard tack, salt junk, and sugar and coffee. I suppose prices have fallen considerable since the fall of the rebel capitol and gold also. So no more. Write soon. Double quick. From your brother, — Milton Swope

To Eliza Solle

Direct to Milton Swope, Co. A, 99th Pa. Vet. Vols., 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps

Hurrah for the Union!