"Nicholas M. Bowers is no more. He was but a short time with his Regiment when it was ordered into battle and at Chancellorsville, on Sunday May 3rd, he fell wounded in the leg below the knee. The leg was very much shattered and after repeated trials he was left in the hands of the enemy, and was not brought over until the 15th. His wound had not been attended to and he died on the 16th."

2 pages, 5 x 8, in ink, written by L.H. Montgomery to David Hafer, Co. D, 158th Regt. Pa, Inft., Care Col. D.B. McKibbin, Little Washington, North Carolina, Via New York. C.D.S., Harrisburg, Pa., May 26, 1863, with partial 3 cents rose George Washington postage stamp which has been partly torn off at the right edge of the envelope where it was originally opened.

St. Thomas, Pa., May 24, 1863

Mr. David Hafer,

My dear friend,

I am sorry to inform you that our friend and Brother Nicholas M. Bowers is no more. He was but a short time with his Regiment when it was ordered into battle and at Chancellorsville, on Sunday May 3rd, he fell wounded in the leg below the knee. The leg was very much shattered and after repeated trials he was left in the hands of the enemy and was not brought over until the 15th. His wound had not been attended to and he died on the 16th. Thus my friend we today mourn the loss of one most dear and our only consolation is that we know he died peacefully and is now in glory. The family are deeply troubled as you may imagine, better than I can write it. Your wife requests me to say that she together with your little ones are all well and in conclusion I can only say to you take good care of yourself for the sake of your family. Give my respects to Ames and all the rest of the boys and believe me truly your friend.

L.H. Montgomery

Very neatly written letter to a Pennsylvania soldier serving in the field in North Carolina with some excellent content regarding the death of a good friend killed at the epic 3 day battle of Chancellorsville, Va., probably General Robert E. Lee's greatest victory during the War Between the States. It was on this same fateful day that Nicholas Bowers was mortally wounded, that the famous Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was also mortally wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. Very desirable letter and cover.