Soldier Letter 27th Indiana Battery Chickamauga Georgia

I am in the process of selling my entire collection of Spanish-American War patriotic covers.  I am offering here a nice cover with a US flag and cc of Camp Thomas, Chickamauga Battlefield, Lytle, Georgia.  The cover is franked with a 2 cent carmine and a Lytle, Ga. cancel dated June 9, 1898.  There is enclosed a very interesting 3-page letter in pencil written by Private Arthur T. King, 27th Light Battery, Indiana Volunteers.  Pvt. King was from Indianapolis and mustered into the 27th on May 10, 1898.  The letter is datelined "Lytle, Ga., June 5, 1898".  King starts out writing about military training:  "We had a fine mounted drill this morning.  It was very exciting especially when the Captain gave the command Battery front, double time, march! . . . we went into position as fast as the horses could run".  He goes on to write:  "I am lying on the west side of Kelly's Field writing this letter.  We are about in the same place where Uncle John Fleming's company fought. . . . I can see the places where 5 Batterys were stationed during the Battle of Chickamauga.  They are marked with cannons supposed to be the same ones used at that time.  They are all brass with a six inch muzzle and they are placed to command the Lafayette road".  Both the cover and the enclosure are in excellent condition. 

This scarce letter and cover would make a great addition to any Spanish-American War collection.  Civil War enthusiasts will also find this item of interest given Pvt. King's references to the Battle of Chickamauga. 

After doing a little research, I discovered that a Private John Fleming of Indianapolis served in Company I, 17th Indiana during the Civil War.  Since the 17th fought at Chickamauga, I think that he was almost certainly the "Uncle John Fleming" mentioned in King's letter.  (I will send this research to the winning bidder).