Addressed to Lieut. J. B. Babcock, Co. A, 95th Regt. Ills. Vols. Via Cairo, Illinois, with 3 cents rose George Washington postage stamp (Scott #64), with cancellation, and C.D.S., Marengo, Ill., Nov. 11, 1863. Light wear at right edge where the envelope was originally opened. Very fine Civil War used cover. It no doubt carried an important epistle to this Illinois officer in the field of war from a loved one at home in 1863.

John B. Babcok, was a 32 year old clerk from Marengo, IL., when he enlisted on August 8, 1862, at Marengo, as a 1st Sergeant, and was mustered into Co. A, 95th Illinois Infantry. Babcock stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and had fair complexion, blue eyes and black hair. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant, on January 24, 1863, and 1st lieutenant on June 18, 1863. He resigned from the service on January 29, 1864. After the war he served as a member of G.A.R. Post 169 in Marengo, Illinois. He died on March 15, 1910.

Highlights of the Civil War Record of the 95th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry:

It held an important position in its brigade during the charge of May 19th on the works at Vicksburg.

During the assault of May 22nd it gained an advanced position on the crest of the ridge near the enemy's works and encountered one of the most sweeping and destructive fires to which troops were ever exposed. The total loss to the regiment in these two charges, was 25 killed, 124 wounded and 10 missing.

It was engaged in the capture of Fort De Russy and in the battles of Old River, Cloutierville, Mansura, Yellow Bayou and all the movements of the Red River expedition, fighting a portion of the time in the battle of Yellow Bayou under one of the severest fires of artillery it ever experienced in a field fight.

It was in the thickest of the fray at Guntown and fought with undaunted bravery. Finally both flanks of the regiment were turned by overpowering numbers of the enemy and it was obliged to fall back or suffer entire capture. In this engagement the 95th was nearly annihilated and on this account it was given a few weeks' rest on its return to Memphis.

It took part in the battle of Nashville and in the pursuit of Hood's defeated army to the Tennessee River. During the summer of 1864 a detachment of the regiment, 100 men, participated in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Atlanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station.

Source: The Union Army, Vol. 3