Two Manuscript Letters Signed by a New Jersey Soldier to His Family Describing Conditions in Virginia.

Three leaves, two 8 x10 sheets, and one 5x10, text on all sides, and comes with typed transcripts. Normal aging and browning, and a few tears at folds. The letters were written by George Roden who was born in 1841 from Newark, New Jersey, who was the son of English immigrants, and served in the 2nd New Jersey Infantry regiment. He was a corporal at the time these letters were written. The letters talk about the desolation of the Virginia countryside. "Not a fence or a decent house is to be seen for miles… the black remains of Camp fires with the filth of the many camps of both armies are seen on most every farm. I tell you, Va. is suffering for her folly." The letters are from Alexandria and Stafford Court House, Virginia. See guide to Roden family papers at the William L. Clements Library.