Civil War soldier's cover with Apr. 24, 1862 dated
CAIRO/ILL double-circle postmark and
DUE/3 in circle handstamp, with Soldiers Letter endorsement at lower left: "Soldiers. Maj. B. D. Fearing, 78th Regt.O.V.I., U.S.A.". Addressed to Mrs. Caroline Grant at Lowell, Washington County, Ohio.
Benjamin Dana Fearing, (1837-1881), of Harmar, Ohio, first served as a Private in the 2nd Ohio Infantry, a 3 Months Regt. that fought at First Bull Run; He next served as Major of the 77th Ohio Infantry from Jan. to Aug., 1862, and commanded the Regiment at the Battle of Shiloh; Commissioned Lt. Col. of the 92nd Ohio on Aug. 21, 1862, and promoted to Col. on Mar. 22, 1863; Brevet Brig. Gen., Dec. 2, 1864. Severely wounded at Chickamauga, GA on Sept. 19, 1863 and at Bentonville, NC on Mar. 20, 1865; The effects of his wounds led to his death at age 44. Gen. Sherman spoke of him as "the bravest man that fought on Shiloh's field".
The sender was Daniel L. Grant, who was 33 years old when mustered in to Co. K, 77th Ohio Infantry as a Private on Nov. 23, 1861. He died of disease at Corinth, Miss. on July 13, 1862, and is buried at Corinth National Cemetery.
Opened a bit rough at left, edge wear.
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.