8 3/4" height X 5 1/2" width two-page hand-written letter in cursive script on lined paper from Alvah Vaughn, in Fernandina, to his mother, Mrs Emma J. Vaughn, in Saratoga Springs, New York.

On the obverse of the cover is a two-cent United States Postage stamp, the circular date stamp FERNANDINA FLA., 9 AUG 1898, 7 AM and the address:
Mrs. Emma J. Vaughn,
560 North Broadway,
Saratoga Sp.,
N.Y.

On the reverse of the cover is a partial circular date stamp indicating receipt at Saratoga Springs on AUG 11 98 at 2 AM.

The letter, in fine condition and well preserved, reads:

"Fernandina, Fla. Aug. 8 [the day before it was mailed]

"Dear Mother

"I am feeling pretty good yet but seems as though I am gaining mighty slow.

"It is rumored that we will not stay here long and I sincerely hope not for though it is a pretty camp it is not very healthy.

"There are upward of 300 on the sick books of the regiment of about 1300 men.

"We have news here this afternoon that Spain has accepted our terms. But we hardly dare hope for such good things

"I received the other bandage all right this morning but have not got a letter yet expect one tomorrow

"I just wrote grandpa today. I haven’t written anyone else up there in over a week. I guess they will all think I am dead.

"I would have been a great deal better if I had left my washing alone yesterday. It set me back some but by being easy a little longer I will be all right.

"I will write again tomorrow. Write soon

"Your loving son

"Alvah"

Jack Tanis, 614 Broome Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-3837, USA
Telephone: 904.261.4628
e-mail

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