Manuscript Letter Signed by a New Jersey Soldier to His Family Describing Battle Action in the Civil War.

4 pages on one leaf, 4to, with original envelope and typed transcript. Normal aging and browning, slight separation 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 when this letter was written. The letter is addressed "Dear Folks at home" and tells his family how happy he was to receive their letters after waiting so long, but he also includes a description of the Battle of Gaines' Mills; 'Our four companies left as they were without any support whatever to contend with over a brigade of the enemy surrounding us on three sides they poured in an awful cross fire, but even amid that, and their insane yells, our boys rallied around the dear old flag three times. Once They were taken, but as the fellow (a Lieut.) grasped it from our wounded color sergeant, a ball went through his heart and again they were retaken." He also adds an interesting account of his company's reserve role in the Battle of White Old Swamp. See guide to Roden family papers at the William L. Clements Library.