My dear Cousin,

                        We have some relations in Pennsylvania—I believe at or near Gettysburg. My son Charles fell there 2 July. I am very anxious to get his body & hope shortly to get through by flag of truce. Will you do me the kindness to let me know the names & localities of our relations. I may need aid—that they might give—provided this inhuman & patricidal war has not eradicated all the better feelings of our natures. & even if this be so—still I desire to see them, if it is only to say, that I have visited our friends—"the enemy".

 

            Rember me kindly to your family & believe me to be ever affectionately & truly

                                                                                                           

Yr friend & kinsman

W Sheen

 

 

Covington, V^a                                                                                                

3. Aug't '63 /

 

The only relations we know of in Gettysburg are a maiden & bachelor, sister & bro' named Smith, niece & nephew of your grandmother Hart. There was a family there named Swann whose mother was a sister of the above. One of them paid us a visit some years ago. There is a large tannery called "Big Cove Tannery" owned by John Robinson & Bro in Adams county. I do not know how far from Gettysburg. We have had some little correspondence with this gentleman several years since & he seemed very much inclined to be on terms of relationship with his Va friends. I think it likely he may be of more service to you than any one else. There is I think a lawyer, named I think Jas' Robinson in McConnellsburg who is a bro' of John R. but that is some distance from G. These gentlemen are nephews also of Grandpa & Aunt Polly Hart.

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