This early and remarkable letter dated April 3rd 1863 was drafted on "Scotts 900" United States Cavalry letterhead featuring an engraving of the U.S. Capital. In the letter from a Civil War soldier writing home to his family he mentions a foot injury he suffered playing football in his camp. This reference to the sport of football in 1863 is extraordinarily early. American football is believed to have evolved from the English sport of Rugby (started in England 1823) over a 30-year period beginning in the late 1860s. Many people contributed to its development though Walter Camp is called the Father of American Football. This was because he promoted it and was prominent on rules committees in its early years not because he invented it. The letter includes other interesting content that provides fascinating insight into the life of a young enlisted man in the throes of war. He advises his family to sell their horses if they need to but requests that they not sell Dolly presumably his favorite. The four-page letter is written on a single sheet folded in fourths. All ink writing is dark rating 8 out of 10. Well-preserved the letter survives in EX-MT condition.