Single folded lined letter sheet headed: Camp, near Fort Ethan Allen Sept. 26 th 1862, written by 2 nd Lt. Hartwell Freeman, 40 th Mass. Infantry to his mother, reading in part:The Presidents proclamation (Lincolns Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which stated that enslaved people in those states or parts of states still in rebellion as of January 1, 1863, would be declared free) was read to us the other night on dress parade. I have been and returned from picket all safe...My Col. Says that he shall report us to stand fire in five weeks, that is some time yet. You need not be alarmed on that score for we shall not be in the fight for two months yet, unless we are attacke, or called out to cut off the rebel retreat, which is not likely. Smith still stays around, he has his eyes on the 2 nd sergentcey (sic) of the company, but does not know whether to take it or not...remember your promised me your miniature before I left, I should like to have it now. Please get it taken andsed it to me...From your affectionate son Hartwell. From a group of letters recently found in a Kentucky estate.