US Post Civil War 1905 Denver National Encampment Ribbon, Handwritten Letter, 1884 GAR 96th Illinois Inf'y

Original era manufacture. A very nice example of the 1905 Denver 39th National Encampment 1905 Denver ribbon, featuring a black and white celluloid image of GAR Department Commander, John Corsun Smith.Also, a handwritten letter from J.C.Smith to Charlie (C.A.) Partridge in 1884. It reads; 'My Dear Charlie, returning from the 'flooded district' Newport Kentucky, I find an invitation to participate in the 'Camp Fire' of Waukegan Post #374 G.A.R. this evening.I exceedingly regret that I was not home in time to have joined you and my old comrades this evening, or at least to have sent my acknowledgments for the kind remembrance.We here, Clarkson, Fleming and self, will join you in spirit to night and cosily sitting around in ??????? will fight our battles o'er. Please present my respect to all the 'Boys'.Yours TrulyJ.C. SmithDuring the Civil War, both John C. Smith and Charles A. Partridge served as officers in the 96th Illinois Infantry; Smith as a Major, and Partridge as a 2nd Lieutenant.