"Our Company is still out on picket duty along the Potomac River and our enemy is still on the other side of the Potomac. We can see the Rebels every day. The talk is we will go further South. That part would suit me very well. I would be pleased to go away from this state. I was in Virginia on a scouting party last week, but we could not capture any Rebels. They were as smart as we was on this day."

4 pages, 5 x 8, written in ink, by John Sower, to his parents, on a full color, patriotic letter sheet with a soldier standing at attention shouldering his musket and next to a waving American flag fluttering on top of a flag pole. A tent scene, American flags, and the U.S. Capitol building complete the patriotic scene. Light age toning and wear with a few scattered stains. Bold and neatly written letter. Very desirable Union patriotic letter sheet with full soldier ID.

Berlin, Md., Nov. 28, 1861

Respectful Father and Mother,

I seat myself down to drop a few lines to you. I am well hoping and wishing that these few lines may find you and mother enjoying the same state of health. I must say Father; the army has become quite a home to me. I like it much better than I thought I would. Our Company is still out on picket duty along the Potomac River and our enemy is still on the other side of the Potomac River. We can see the Rebels every day. Our Regiment at the present time consists of 1,711 men. You can think Father we have quite a Regiment. This is the largest Regiment that Pennsylvania has out for the campaign. Our Regiment has good health at present, and our company has extra good health. So far the weather here at night is very cold along this River and thru the day the weather is quite fine, and further I must say our living is not as good as it might be for this present time, but our company quarter master don’t attend to his business like he ought to. My weight at present 184 lbs. That is not so bad for your son John. I hope the Lord will give me such good health at all times. I further wish he will give me health and strength to return back home again. I don’t think we will lay here long. The talk is we will go further South. That part would suit me very well. I would be pleased to go away from this state. I was in Virginia on a scouting party last week, but we could not capture any Rebels. They were as smart as we was on this day. I am in this Regiment three months & nine days. Father we have received no pay yet, but as soon as we get paid what money I don’t want I will send it home to you for safe keeping. We expect the pay master every day. So Father I will bring my letter to a close.

From your Son,
John Sower
Direct [to] Point of Rocks, Md.
Co. N, 28th Regiment P.V., in care of Col. [John] Geary

More content. Very desirable Pennsylvania letter fully identified.

John Geary was appointed Colonel of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry on June 28, 1861, and joined the command of General Nathaniel P. Banks at Harpers Ferry, Va. He distinguished himself in several engagements and was wounded at Bolivar Heights, Md., captured Leesburg, Va., in March 1862, and was promoted to brigadier general that same month. He suffered two wounds at the battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., while serving as a brigade commander, and returned to action in time to command a division of the 12th Corps at the epic battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Later transferred to the western army, he fought at Chattanooga, in the Atlanta campaign and took part in General William T. Sherman's celebrated March to the Sea. After the capture of Savannah, Ga., General Geary was appointed it's military governor. His post war career saw him elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 1866, serving two terms.