Eliza writes to Edward, her brother-in-law. She notes that her husband, James Dickerman, told her that he was in a battle but was not harmed. Eliza then mentions that she feels sorry for Samuel Dickerman's wife, Sophia (Blood), whom Samuel married in December 1861, just before he left home for military duty. She closes by saying James wishes their newborn be named Mary Eliza. At the end of the letter, Edward's mother Mary adds that she was very grateful he sent them photographs of himself. It should be noted that Ann Eliza Payne married James H. Dickerman in 1855. In 1852, her father, Arnold Payne, married James' mother, Mary (Russell), which was two years after James' father Samuel passed away. Therefore, James and Ann Eliza were related by marriage, not by blood, when they were wed.
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