The Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71, was a conflict between France and Prussia. German men were conscripted into the Prussian army to fight the French. One such young man was Philipp Mohr (1850-1929), Philipp Neff's nephew and his Godchild.
On Sunday, 4 December 1870, Philipp Mohr was serving near the city of Darmstadt, from where he sent a letter to his parents, Johann Adam Mohr and Anna Katharine (Neff) Mohr. The letter was folded so that an envelope was unnecessary. It was postmarked in Darmstadt.
[Message in upper right torn: rush, etc.]
Herrn
Adam Mohr in Dusenbach
Kreis Neustadt im Odenwald
Darmstadt am 4. Dezember 1870
Liebe Eltern und Geschwister!
Ich ergriefe die Feder Euch zu wissen zu thun, daß ich am Sonntag
konnamdirt werde, für hinaus in das Feld, wie Ihr wißt, so gehen
wir den Dienstag fort, wenn es möglich ist, so wünsche ich daß
mein Vater noch einmahl, zu mir kommen soll, und mir die
nöthige Sache zu bringen 2 Hemden und noch Strümpfe.
Viele Grüße an meine Eltern und Geschwister, ich hoffe euch
wieder gesund zu sehen. Ich schließe mein Schreiben auf
dießmahl, auf dem Weg schreibe ich euch so bald ich Gelegenheit habe.
Ich werde euch schreiben meine Adresse und hoffe, daß Ihr mir
schreiben werdet so bald es möglich ist.
Philipp Mohr
[Letter side, English translation]
Darmstadt, 4. December 1870
Dear Parents and Brothers and Sisters!
I take hold of my pen so you will know that I am commanded on Sunday
to enter the field of action, as you know, we will start forward on
Tuesday, if it is possible, I wish, that my father should come yet
once more and bring me some necessary things, 2 shirts and also socks.
Many greetings to my parents and brothers and sisters, I hope you
will all be healthy when I return. I am closing my letter for now.
I will write to you on my way as soon as I have the opportunity.
I will write to you my address and hope that you will write
to me as soon as it is possible.
Philipp Mohr