Walt Whitman Letter Discovered Library Volunteer

HYDE PARK, N.Y. -- FDR Hyde Park saluted on its Facebook page a librarian from Falls Church, Virginia, was volunteering at the National Archives when she uncovered a letter written on behalf of a dying Civil War soldier by the famed poet Walt Whitman.

Catherine Cusack Wilson discovered a letter hand-written by Walt Whitman.
Photo Credit: *Facebook*

A letter written for a dying soldier.
Photo Credit: *Fl]*

James O'Rourke

03/15/2016 6:00 a.m.

Catherine Cusack Wilson's story is retold on a Facebook post by the U.S. National Archives.

Cusack Wilson was sorting through pension files, preparing them for digitization when she came across a letter from Nelson Jabo to his wife

It says:

Washington, Jan. 21, 1865 (sic)

My Dear Wife,

You must excuse me for not having written to you before. I have not been very well + did not feel much like writing – but I feel considerably better now – my complaint is an affection of the lungs. I am mustered out of service, but am not at present well enough to come home. I hope you will try to write back as soon as you receive this + let me know how you all are, how things are going on – let me know how it is with mother. I write this by means of a friend who is now sitting by my side + I hope it will be God’s will that we shall yet meet again. Well I send you all my love + must now close.

Your affectionate husband,

Nelson Jabo

Written by Walt Whitman a friend.

To learn more about the National Archives, visit the U.S. National Archives Facebook page.

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