A letter handwritten and signed by the Jewish merchant Samuel Etting, who fought and was wounded while defending Fort McHenry during the 1812 war. Baltimore, November 24, 1849. English.
The attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore is considered the most famous battle of the 1812 war. The battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that would become the words to the national anthem of the United States of America – "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Eight Jewish soldiers are known to have taken part in this historic battle, all residents of Baltimore. Before us is a letter sent by one of those eight soldiers, Samuel Etting (1796-1862), who fought and was wounded while defending the fort. The letter was sent during a later period of Etting's life, after he became a successful merchant and an important figure in the Jewish community of Baltimore, and it addresses his business relations with its addressee, a Jew named Joseph R. Evans from Philadelphia.
[1] leaf (one written page), approx. 25 cm. Good condition. Stains and minor blemishes. Fold lines. Several small holes.