Civil War Book "Letters from a Shoebox"

[James Dohren]

"Letters from a Shoebox" by Jim Dohren is a compilation of letters from three soldiers and five young women who live in the soldiers' home town of New Cumberland, Ohio in the years 1862-1865. Two of the letter writers, John and David Huffman are school teacher brothers who enlist in the 85th IVI. The third soldier writer is Wm. Bowman, a 19-year old (possibly as young as 16) who enlists in the storied 126 OVI. He is captured at the Battle of the Wilderness and survives Libby and Andersonville Prisons. He writes a letter from the latter. The girl's and woman's letters are full of news of home, concerns for the boys in service and fascinating gossip. The author has included literal transcriptions of the 22 letters plus the results of his research and personal reflections. The book is available at Amazon or from Sunbury Press bookstore.