Letter describing a regiment full of soldiers streaking naked in the rain.
John McD. Smith.
Letter describing a regiment full of soldiers streaking naked in the rain.
Camp Tennally, DC, 14 August 1861
Autograph Letter Signed to his wife Amanda W. Smith (1838-1930) in Pittsburgh, PA, 8 pages (7¾ x 5¼ inches) on 2 folding sheets; mailing folds, minor wear. With original envelope (stamp and postmark removed).
John McDonald "Don" Smith (1837-1862), who signed his letters "Don," was the son of a wealthy Pittsburgh attorney. He served as a private in the 38th Pennsylvania Infantry, and died in June 1862 at the Battle of White Oaks Swamp.
"Ben Kerr called over to me to know if I would not take off my clothes & take a run with him in the rain naked. I declined as I was afraid of getting my feet cut on glass, & besides I don't like such exposures. Ben soon stripped off & Torrance of our men soon followed, as did also 18 or 20 or more of our Co. Soon no less than two or three hundred of the regiment were in the same rig & running like wild Indians all over the parade ground, forming in line & running full tilt across the field & back . . . & marched past the officers' quarters, keeping step & looking very well & certainly very queer in their excellent uniforms. . . . It was the most laughable sight that I have ever seen, & I laughed myself weak over it. It was kept up for an hour or more."
John McD. Smith.
Letter describing a regiment full of soldiers streaking naked in the rain.
Camp Tennally, DC, 14 August 1861
Autograph Letter Signed to his wife Amanda W. Smith (1838-1930) in Pittsburgh, PA, 8 pages (7¾ x 5¼ inches) on 2 folding sheets; mailing folds, minor wear. With original envelope (stamp and postmark removed).
John McDonald "Don" Smith (1837-1862), who signed his letters "Don," was the son of a wealthy Pittsburgh attorney. He served as a private in the 38th Pennsylvania Infantry, and died in June 1862 at the Battle of White Oaks Swamp.
"Ben Kerr called over to me to know if I would not take off my clothes & take a run with him in the rain naked. I declined as I was afraid of getting my feet cut on glass, & besides I don't like such exposures. Ben soon stripped off & Torrance of our men soon followed, as did also 18 or 20 or more of our Co. Soon no less than two or three hundred of the regiment were in the same rig & running like wild Indians all over the parade ground, forming in line & running full tilt across the field & back . . . & marched past the officers' quarters, keeping step & looking very well & certainly very queer in their excellent uniforms. . . . It was the most laughable sight that I have ever seen, & I laughed myself weak over it. It was kept up for an hour or more."
