An invitation to James Birckhead to a public meeting in Newport, 1862.  The invitation, from Mayor William H. Cranston, states: "I invite you to attend a public meeting...for the purpose of adopting such measures as may be deemed necessary to secure this city's quota of men, in compliance with the last call of the War Department for additional troops."

A handwritten note on outside fold of paper reads: "To/James Birckhead Esqre/Mary Street/Newport/R.I./Historically Valuable/Keep./A Summons "to War"! Sept 13th 1862./Newport R.I.

Papa was too old to enlist now but he served for two days + two nights on sentry duty in Baltimore in War of 1812. but [sic] Mamma says he did not know how to fire a gun so it was a mercy the war stopped.  Kate de C.H.B."