Description
This grouping consists of eight letters, six covers, a pocket diary and quarter plate tintype of Pvt. John Ormston, Co. F, 118th NY Inf. The letters were written home to members of Ormston’s family and include discussions of home, camp life, fighting Rebels and some politics. One letter says that “There is a picture wagon in our camp and I am going to get my likeness taken and send it home.” That picture is most likely the one included with this grouping. The pocket diary dates from April 11, 1863, to January 7, 1864, and generally consists of short comments, such as “”Went on guard at the old Capital Prison – We were relieved at 8 o’clock and went to camp.” the letters and diary have been transcribed. According to service records (included), Ormston enlisted on August 11, 1862, at Moriah, NY for a period of three years. In late August of 1862 he was mustered into Co. F, 118th NY Infantry. Ormston was wounded in the abdomen at Fort Harrison around October 1, 1864, and died on October 6, 1864, at the Point of Rocks hospital. He is buried in City Point Cemetery, Hopewell, VA. Pictures of his headstone are included. The image is a common seated pose of Ormston in a frock coat. The quarter plate tintype is housed in a leatherette case with split spine. The grouping is a very nice record of a New York soldier.
