To the Editor:

I enjoyed the recent article by Jean Federico of the lost and found Civil war soldier. I am descended from that soldier’s brother, Dennet Cotton, although my discovery was somewhat different. I found an affidavit explaining Dennet had been working at a Massachusetts stable; he was given money to go back to Maine and buy horses. He returned without horses or money, leading him to re-enlist for the bounty instead of going to jail. True, I have another affidavit in his own words detailing how he received two wounds in battle, which simply shows him as a human being instead of just a faded photo or a tombstone.

It is a wonderful hobby, finding your roots, even the odd details, for that is how we glimpse where and why we became – us.

Rex S. Waite

Norway

Comments are not available on this story.