This patriotic cover is from the 19th M.V.M. (Massachusetts Volunteer Militia) to George
Patch of West Littleton, Massachusetts. This design is part of a series of Civil War
patriotic covers printed by Charles Magnus. It shows a two part engraved vignette,
"FOR THE UNION" 
and
"MASSACHUSETTS."This cover was likely sent by George H. Patch of the 19th Massachusetts Militia to a
relative also named George. He was born in Lexington, Mass. on December 8, 1844.
When the war broke out, he was a farmer. After the battle of Bull Run he enlisted in
Company F 19th Massachusetts Infantry. He served as private for nearly three years.
Early in 1864 he was badly poisoned by ivy or dogwood but remained with his company
until night of May 12, 1864, the date of the fight at the
Death Angel, Spottsylvania.
"Battle of Spottsylvania", 1888 by Kurz and Allison.
He was then sent to the hospital where he remained until the expiration of his term. For
thirteen years after the war was in the railroad service and in 1879 became attached
to the Boston Daily Globe as a reporter.
(
Records of Members of the Grand Army of the Republic By William H. Ward)
Posted 03/14/2009 9:53 pm
Great cover, great history.
