Civil War Letters

4-1. Capturing 111 Confederate Cavalrymen in the Snow.

Letter of Union soldier Wm. G. Sanders, Co. A, 2nd Va. Cavalry, “Camp Piatt, Western Va.,”  Dec. 15, 1862, 4 pp., 4¼ x 7. To Wm. Crawford. “Our Regt. is camped in the Kanawha valley  70 miles from the mouth of the river. We expect to stay here all winter as we are building  stables and winter quarters...We started on a scout in the direction of Lewisburgh, Greenbrier  Co(unty). We traveled til 10 o’clock that night and camped in a small town by the name of  Summerville, having rode 60 miles in the morning...Over very mountainous roads and  camped again. Went to sleep on the ground, waked up at 3 o’clock at the sound of the Bugle to  find the ground covered 3 inches deep with snow. Started at 4 o’clock without breakfast, the  snow falling fast...Rode altogether across the mountains...and run against the rebel scouts. We  then started on double quick and run into a rebel cavalry camp, completely surprising them.  They scattered in every direction and us after them. We captured 111 prisoners, 106 horses, 5  mules, 3 wagons, 3 or 400 stand of arms, burnt their shanties, &c., and started back at 3  o’clock. Never rested nor got anything to eat til we got to Summerville...No rest at all, only to  get off and walk, which was some rest from riding...We lost two horses killed by the rebels,  killed two rebels & wounded two....” Penned in a clear hand, on interesting herringbone-  watermarked lettersheet. Old marginal pencil bracket of dramatic passage on p. 3, some  soiling and staining on p. 4, else about very good. Surprisingly, no entry for Sanders is found  in standard sources. Both the Union and Confederate boasted units of the same name; items  of the Union’s 2nd Virginia Cavalry are elusive, especially with such content. Camp Piatt, a  steamboat hub in what became West Virginia, saw the commissioning of two future  Presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. $200-250 

4-2. On Very Scarce Patriotic Letterhead.

Letter of Union soldier “David,” with uncommon reference to Minnesota troops and to Gen.  Willis Gorman, who had been antebellum Gov. of Minnesota Territory, and commanded the  1st Minn. at Bull Run. “2 miles nearer to Yorktown,” Apr. 16 (1862), 5 x 8, 1½ pp. In pencil, on  elaborately artistic letterhead “Pennsylvania,” printed in aqua, with nearly half-page design of  soldier in 17th-century-style chain mail, brandishing foils, pointing to State seal against flag,  and the word “Union” composed of stars in the heavens. Imprint of obscure New York printer  Reagles & Co., 1 Chambers St., near the future site of Gotham’s Municipal Building. “We are in  Gen. Gorman’s Brigade, and are encamped in an open lot, and just beyond through the woods  there is a rebel fortification. From us it is 400 yards. The rebels do not know that we are here.  We have no bugle calls. Our brigade is here all alone. It consists of the 15th Mass., 2nd and  34th N.Y., 1st Minnesota, and batteries A, B. It is just 8 months today since we left home...I  send this off this evening. It will cost you 5 cts. as there is no postage at this end....” Some fold  wear, tear at blank bottom, pencil varying from heavy to average as his stub kept wearing  down, light toning, else satisfactory and still suitable for display. The first example of Reagles’  work we have handled in a number of years. $130-170 

4-3. “Getting back to your old tricks of dancing, are you?”

Superior letter of Union Pvt. Charles Benton, (17th N.Y.), Signal Hill (postmarked Old Point  Comfort), Dec. 18, 1864, 5 x 8, 4 full pp. To his wife, in Albion, Orleans County, N.Y. “...We are  still very busy at work on our barns and about the fort... One or two days of excitement caused  by an attack from the Rebs. One Corps of Longstreet came upon our Cavalry pickets on Sat.  morning (the 10th) and captured some of them, and still driving in our pickets & skirmishes  all day until about 3 o’clock...when they drove our men from the woods into the open field  some 2,000 yards from our fort, when we were ordered to fire upon them which we did, and made them get back under cover of the  woods. Pretty lively I can assure you. And they did not make their appearance again. About dark we threw a few shells into the woods  but what damage they done we could not tell. The boys stood by the Guns nearly all night, and kept the Horses ready for a start...One  horse wounded by a stray ball, but not badly. The next morning our scouts went out and found the enemy had all left - not one to be  found, except a few dead that they did not cover or carry away with them... The weather for a few days past has been beautiful and  warm....That word ‘home,’ how sweet it sounds... We have not got our pay yet...and I don’t know when we shall get it if ever. I am in  want of money as bad nearly as you...Getting back to your old tricks of dancing, are you? Better look out how you perform. May [her  new housemate] is learning you to be young again, is she not?...Don’t be bashful, darling, enjoy yourself all and the best you can....”  Especially crisp blind-embossed stationer’s crest, “Congress,” with detailed view of Capitol. Original folds, else very fine. • With cream  envelope, cork fancy cancel on 3¢, Old Point Comfort, Va. c.d.s. Light postal wear, else fine. $110-140 (2 pcs.) 

4-4. On Rare Map Lettersheet.

Letter of Union soldier N.S. Noyes, “77 Regt., Co. C, Near W(illia)m(s)burgh,” Va., May 8/12, 1862, 5 x 8, 3¼ pp. In pencil, varying  from light but legible to good, and entirely satisfactory. On lovely Magnus lettersheet printed in golden brown, with highly detailed map  of eastern half of the United States, from Kansas to Maine, and including Lower Canada – and showing Indian tribes, forts, and  railroad lines – together with vignette of soldiers holding banner aloft, and portrait. “...We was formed into line and marched toward  the rebels’ forts, and when we got in sight of them was surprised to see the stars and stripes on their forts and our men going into them.  Our Reg. was the first one of the Brigade to go across the dam, and the first to go to the left. We marched at five rods and crack went  two caps. We all stopped and could not think where it came from, but soon found that there was bum shells buried in the ground. It was  lucky for us they did not explode for it made us more cautious. McKean went ahead, and where there was some fresh dirt he would  poke around! There he would find one. Our boys dug up 15 of them. Some of them was so heavy that it was all that a man could do to  carry them...Went 14 miles in (less) than 4 hours, and the next day you know what was going on perhaps better than I. Can tell you our  Regt. was not in the engagement...Our Brigadier... got throad [sic] from his horse...I commenced this letter at Wmburgh. and now am 4  miles to the left of West Point...90 miles of Richmond...The Rebs are getting in close corners in Virginia I think, and may show some  fight for I cannot see where they can run to if they do, but they will have some hole no doubt.” Three very small rubbed areas on map  where once pinned, affecting several characters in each spot; light fold wear, handling toning, else good plus. Attractive and a seldom-  seen letterhead. $160-200

4-5. Making his Own Uniform.

Letter of Union soldier James E. Side, Camp Huger, Suffolk, Va., Nov. 19, 1861, 5 x 8, 4 pp. In dark pencil. To his father. “I received  your letter Saturday night containing $10... I had no money when I wrote to you...I want to get some thick stout cloth and have a good  uniform made, which I expect at the present high prices may cost about $25...The Regt. is pretty busy preparing their winter quarters.  Now each company is to build its own. I believe they intend to build log huts 14 by 16 ft. and put eight men in one, have a chimney to  every hut, so if that be the case, we will be very well fixed. And they will have plenty sentry boxes for the sentinels...I received the  box...containing the stand of lard, bed tick, pillow...and much obliged to the home folks for them...Tell the servants howdie.” An  unusual name, records show “James Sides” later serving in the 13th U.S. Infantry; the final “s” may represent a transcription error and  be the same as this letter-writer. Four large petal-shaped coffee-colored stains, pencil bit rubbed on p. 4, light fold wear, else good.  $65-85

4-6. “In the rear of Petersburg.”

Letter of Union soldier George Peirce (spelling correct), “Camp Near the Weldon Railroad in the rear of Petersburg, Va.,” Aug. 28,  (1864?), 4¾ x 8, 1½ pp., in pencil. To Benjamin White, Acushnet, Mass. “...It is very hard to get stamps out here. I sent $100 to you by  express some time ago...to pay you for the shirt and the money that I borrowed of you...If you have not got it before this time I am  afraid that it is lost...Have you received my warrant...Direct the same as last. We have been in another fight since.” Closing portion  light, as his pencil wore down; some handling evidence, else good plus. The writer may be referring to the battle at Globe Tavern on  Aug. 18-21, sometimes referred to as the Weldon Railroad operations. Pitting Grant against Lee in “oppressively hot and rainy” densely  wooded terrain (--Boatner), about 2,500 men in all were killed or wounded. Evidently serving in the 3rd Mass. Heavy Artillery, the  writer’s regiment miraculously suffered loss of only two enlisted men in battle in the entire war. • With envelope, Washington c.d.s., 4-  ring concentric fancy. Stamp tear at 12 o’clock, envelope torn where opened at upper left corner, stained, else satisfactory. $80-110 (2  pcs.)

4-7. Mentioning the Colored Corps.

Lengthy Union officer’s letter, from “Solomon(?),” evidently from Poolesville, Maryland, mentioning numerous Generals, including a  social visit to Grant’s headquarters. “Head Quarters, 3d Div., 18th Army Corps, In the field, Va., Nov. 13, 1864,” 7¾ x 9¾, 4 full pp.,  overflow crosswritten. To his wife. “I knew you would be disappointed after receiving my letter telling you that I had applied for a leave  of absence...that it was about as good as a sure thing, to receive a contradictory letter so soon...I received just a little note from Gen.  Hinks last night, partly on other business and partly a friendly note...Mrs. Hinks wished to be remembered to me so I presume she is  with the Genl. The note was written the 9th, the day after [the Presidential] election. I had a little vacation yesterday. The doctor and I  went down to Bermuda Hundred together, and then we crossed over to City Point...We found Gen. Grant occupying our old Head  Quarters and everything very much changed. It was my first visit there since the 16th day of June when I went down after the fight of  the 15th to carry dispatches...(Our) log house...looks something like our house at Poolesville. We had got a feather bed into position  today, and I anticipate a good night’s sleep...‘Cousin William’ ought to be looked after. It would be rather hard to try him as a criminal  for harboring a spy, and that spy his own son, but I’ll be hanged if I want to be shot at...because our government is so lenient in that  sort of case...Why don’t Uncle Henry enlist?...Does he do a stitch of work to pay for his salt?...I understood yesterday that Gen. Ord  would soon return to take command of the 18th Corps, now under command of Gen. Weitzel, and then I presume the Colored Corps  will be organized...Time flies pretty rapidly and my three years will soon be up....” Four days later, Weitzel was promoted to Maj. Gen.,  leading in the siege of Petersburg. Original folds, one of six panels with creases, else uncommonly clean and fine plus. Patient research  may reveal the writer’s identity. $90-120 

4-8. “We slept in the Marshall house where Col. Ellsworth was Shot.”

Letter from inception of career of Union soldier - and Medal of Honor recipient Aaron B. Tompkins, in Van Reypen’s (Unattached) Co.,  Halstead’s (N.J.) Cavalry, Custus, Fairfax County, Va., Jan. 26, 1862, 5 x 8½, 3 full pp. Varying from lightish to dark pencil, but almost  entirely readily legible, on robins-egg-blue. To his mother. “I (en)listed in Jersey City, Dec. 18, 1861, 2nd Regt., Halstead Cavalry, Co. A,  under Capt. Van Ripen [sic], for $14 a month and four from the State...We rode in the cars to Philadelphia...then Washington and got  our breakfast. Then we got on the Boat and went to Alexandria...We are agoing to have our arms. We get a Horse, Sorde [sic], Revolver,  shot gun and different other things I don’t know what the names is. We have got a good Blanket. We sleep on the ground (with) leaves  and pine twigs under us...Four miles of the Rebbels. The Regt. that we are camped with went out scouting Mon. and killed six rebles.  (In) our Regt. one man was shot...Lt. Janeway was shot with 6 balls but he is alive yet and doing well...The place where we are camped  was once woods but it is all cut down for miles around. We are the last camp nearest to the rebbels...There is no place for a mile around.  There is good horses but they don’t get enough to eat...We slept in the Marshall house where Cornel [sic] Ellsworth was Shot. I saw the  place where he fell. It is now bunks for the 88 Pa. Regt. We are all as happy as a hog on ice for we are here and we can’t get out....”  Some handling toning and fold wear, else good. Tompkins epitomized the hard soldier: Later fighting in the 1st N.J. Cavalry, he was  awarded the Medal of Honor for charging into Rebel ranks at Sailor’s Creek, Va., capturing a battle flag - while sustaining a sabre  wound to the face - on Apr. 5, 1865. Tompkins is cited in several works, including Deeds of Valor: How our Soldier-Heroes Won the  Medal of Honor, and Medical and Surgical History of the Civil War. Tompkins’ papers, in the Library of Congress, are cited in In  Pursuit of a Phantom: John Singleton Mosby’s Civil War by Pavlovsky, and quoted from in Mosby’s Rangers by Wert. Modern copies  accompany. $375-475

4-9. Brothers in Peace - and War.

Combination letter of Union soldiers and brothers Henry H. and Jacob W. Otto of Altoona, both Pvts. in Co. C, 205th Penna. Infantry,  Camp near Hancock Station, Va., Dec. 30, 1864, 7¾ x 9¾, 2 full pp. To their father. “...My paper is not so very plenty and also my  stamps gets very scarce, so I can’t write to everyone that I would like...The Army is in good health and in good Spirits and hoping that  the war will be over til Spring. There is a pretty good appearances of it being so on account of so many rebels coming across to our  lines. There is an average of 100 per day, so I think that would weaken the army down very fast. I think that they will get tired of the  business before long. They are canonading very heavy in the direction of Richmond, and they fire some heavy salutes at the forts  opposite our camp, but they have not throwed any into our camp. The rebels lines is not very far off ours. They could throw shells into  our camp from their forts...There is a fort called Fort Helm but the most of them calls it Fort Hell. They opened out on one of the  Johnnie’s forts and blowed it all to pieces and it made them very angry so they commenced to shell one of our forts called Rice, but they  did not do much by throwing shells...so they had to quit the business and leave it alone...When we get back we can try and buy a farm  with our money so that we will have a home of our own....” This letter in Henry’s hand; based on other correspondence of the Otto  brothers, Jacob was only semi-literate. Both brothers were wounded in the waning weeks of the war, Henry at Fort Steadman, Va., on  Mar. 25, 1865, and Jacob at Fort Segdwick, Va. on Apr. 2. Some soiling along three folds on verso where carried in a pocket, else neatly  penned and very good. $90-120

4-10. Copperheads “are all Cowards.”

Combination letter of Union soldiers and brothers Henry H. and Jacob W. Otto of Altoona, both Pvts. in Co. C, 205th Penna. Infantry.  This evidently in Jacob’s hand, with rampant spelling errors. “Washington Sity” (sic), Sept. 8, 1864, 5 x 8, 4 full pp. Interesting blind-  embossed stationer’s crest, “LLB & Co.” “...We have moved from Camp Curtain to Washington...We all like solgern [soldiering] better  than we did. I couldn’t content myself at first but we all like it better than we did at first. Walters messes with us...We are in Virginia...I  want you to send me five dollars green back for that is all the kind of money that will pass here please and don’t forget it...Down here  butter is selling for 75¢ and eggs for 40¢ and 25¢ for two dumplings and there is everything high here. Tell mother and father to get  their pictures taken together and sent it to me...and when I have a chance I will get mine taken and sent it home and tell all the  Copperheads that they will have a chance to work for uncle sam yet. They are all Cowards. Drive them out of the Country, every man  that hunt for the union....” Their fellow diner was John Walters, a Pvt. in the 205th. Glue(?) toning at top, scattered light stains, dust-  toning p. 4, else about very good. $80-110

4-11. “Home still lingers in my every thought....”

Lengthy letter of Confederate Lt. John J. Carter, evidently in an independent company of Louisiana cavalry, newly arrived, missing  home and family. “Camp near Raymond, Miss. / Care of Capt. J.Y. Webb, Gen. (George B.) Cosby’s Escort, Canton, Miss.,” Nov. 16,  1863, 7½ x 9¾, 4 full pp. With hand-carried envelope made from now-ornately mottled adversity paper with profuse pinpoints of  wood fiber, to his wife in Meriden, La., “Favor of Lt. Hart.” “...On the west bank of the Miss. river...You may yet have some fears about  my getting through safe...Mr. Neal got a detail to go to Atlanta for clothing...Mr. Lancaster drew for him but did not get the lucky no., so  he will not get to go with Lt. Watkins...The Co...now have no fears of Gen. Cosby’s being sent off...We were in two fights while I was at  home, but all of our Co. came out unhurt; the Brigade lost some men killed & wounded but not as many as the Feds did. The Feds came  out in strong force from Vicksburg to occupy Canton, Miss. Our Cavalry drove them when they had ten to one, back to Vicksburg. All is  quiet here now ...A flag of truce has just started in towards Vicksburg to carry two Ladies...Nothing definite...from Bragg’s Army. He  has his lines closed & will allow no person to pass in or out & will not allow anything published pertaining to his Army, which I fear is  evidence that we need not expect anything good from that quarter...I found my Pony looking badly and a little lame, but he is  improving very fast...I expect to trade him & old Pete for a fine Cavalry horse, as I cannot send the Pony home for you...It is too soon to  begin to think about going home again, but it is so hard for me to get accustomed to camp life that home still lingers in my every  thought, & no effort of mine can banish it from them. Yet I well know that for the present, I can only think of home, & hope to enjoy the  pleasure at some future day...We get plenty of beef & corn, potatoes & a little fresh pork. That is very different from what I had while at  home, but is good enough for a Soldier...The Feds have drawn in their lines around Vicksburg, but are still in strong force at that  place...Dick makes a fine Camp Cook...I found it much harder to part with you than it was at first & it seems that time is...relieving the  pain of our last parting....” Mentioning an extensive array of family and friends by name. (Col. Wirt Adams’ Regt., subject of Lot 5-16,  was part of this same Escort.) Very minor wear, else letter very fine, envelope very good. $300-375 (2 pcs.) 

4-12. A “First Class Musician.”

Partly printed D.S. of noted Indian fighter and Union Lt. Col. James Oakes, Camp near Murfreesboro, Tenn., Sept. 3, 1862, 8 x 10.  Certifying pay due William Bosse, a “First Class Musician of Col. John Sedgwick’s 4th Regt. of Cavalry, born in  Hanover...Germany...Green eyes, Brown hair, and by profession a Musician...enlisted by Capt. Grainger at N.Y...1857...The cost of the  ration at this post is 26¢....” A West Pointer, Oakes was severely wounded in clashes with the Comanches in Texas. “While in the field  Feb. 22, 1856, he overtook a party of Waco Indians and ‘severely punished them’...”--source accompanying. Minor fold wear, else very  good, with bold signature. Musicians’ material is desirable. $70-100 

4-13. “We gave a yell and started a full Charge after them.”

Letter with superb chase content attributed to Union soldier Zebulon P. Ryder, (11th Penna. Cavalry), Camp Suffolk, Dec. 3, (18)62, 4¾  x 8, first 4 pp. only (incomplete). “...Just got back from a Scout. I was out 2 days and we had a brush with the Rebs and now I will tell  you the whole affair from beginning to the end...Our company was in the advance...through a place called Carsville...Bridled and  commenced feeding our horses...Not been out on post more than 15 minutes when one of our men came riding down and said that the  Rebs had fired on them and if we did not hurry up they would capture our men, so the Col. told our left that he must save his men from  being taken...Started at a full gallop. We dashed through the Infantry, knocking over kittles, mess pans, officers, privates...and our Boys  thought we was crazy...But just at that moment we seen two more Companies coming up. We gave a yell and started a full Charge after  them... The way we went down the Road was a caution to all, Cavalry horses tumbling in front...My horse jumped over the Sgt.’s horse,  for he fell right in front of me. We got about a quarter of a mile when we met the Rebs. When they seen us acoming with our sabres  raised, they turned around and commenced retreating but it was no use, for we came on them like wind, and we knocked them right  and left, and the way they hollered and groaned it made me shudder. We chased them about 3 miles. We took 20 men Prisoners... 16  wounded. How many we killed and wounded besides I do not know as there was a great many crawled in the woods...We took about  100 Rifles, and 20 Horses...a Rocket Battery and a casement full of Ammunition. There was no one hurt in our company...I skinned my  knee where I run against one of them with such force that it knocked his horse head over heels....” Minor fold wear, fine wrinkles at  bottom, apparently from original folds, some toning, else good plus. With transcript. If complete, worth at least twice our estimate.  $120-160

4-14. “...He got the contents of my rifle through his body.”

Letter of Union soldier Allison Crockett, (7th Maine Infantry), from Camp Winfield Scott, care of Fortress Monroe, Va., Apr. 22, 1862,  7¼ x 11¾, 1½ pp. To his father Columbus Crockett, Guilford, Maine. “...I am now at the place called Warwick, about 2 or 3 miles from  Yorktown right in sight of the Rebel forts. We have been here about two weeks preparing for a heavy battle. We are stationed on the  south side of what is called Warwick Creek, and the Rebels on the other side. I don’t know (if) you get papers with pictures of their  works... We have a brush with them most every day. There was three men shot out of our Regt. yesterday and one the day before, and  four or five when we first came here. I came very near getting shot the other day. I saw the rascal and he got the contents of my rifle  through his body somewhere. You wanted to know about my clothes. I left them at Bunkers Tavern at Kendall’s Mills when I went  away...There will be four months pay due...about $75 coming to me...Tell me if you find by the papers who is shot out here....” Some  fold wear, slightly toned in four panels of old folds on p. 1, toning and edge tears along blank top, else about very good. • With envelope,  Old Fort Comfort c.d.s., stamp torn where opened, insect spots, else satisfactory. The writer was wounded at The Wilderness two years  later. $90-140 (2 pcs.)

4-15. “Negrows...more thought of than a privat(e) Solger....”

Letter of Union Pvt. Enos W. Pierce, 97th Penna. Vols., from Port Royal, S.C., “in care of Capt. Lewis,” Mar. 19, 1863. Pierce would be  killed in action at Bermuda Hundred, Va. the following Spring. 5¼ x 8, 3½ pp. Penned in rich reddish-brown on lettersheet with large  lilac woodcut of white horses drawing a two-wheeled troop carrier, in turn pulling a cannon. “...Last night we had torches made and  everything ready to march but about 8 o’clock the orders was countermanded. It is thought that we was going to try to burn the railroad  bridge between Charleston and Savannah. There was a Negrow [sic] preacher or he called himself one. He came to our lines and told  the general that there was only about two regiments of rebels there but they got to questioning him...and they put him in the whit(e)  hous(e) for safe keeping. Now you see that our leaders p(l)ace too much confidence in the poor Slaves...There is more negrows than  white(s) here now and they are more thought of than a privat(e) Solger that is frighten(ed) to set them free. I only wish I could tell you  all I think about this bloody war but I can’t. It makes me mad whenever I think of it, nig(g)ers before white....” Some blind handling  wrinkles, else darkly penned and about fine. $150-180 

4-16. News from Vicksburg – in the prelude to Gettysburg.

Letter of Union soldier Cornelius Smith, “Camp near Bell Plain [near Washington, D.C.]...in care of Lt. R. Shaffer,” June 5, 1863, 5 x 8,  2½ pp. Penned weeks before Gettysburg, “...We are under marching orders with three days’ rations...We are in the old camp yet but I  think that we will march one of these days. It is reported that we was going to Harpers Ferry but I don’t believe it yet. Our men is close  to the rebels at Vicksburg. The paper states that they lay about ten feet apart. Our men are in (a) ditch and the rebels up in a fort and to  roll shells down on our men. I think if our men can take that place it will give them a hard blow and I hope that war will end soon and I  don’t think that I can draw any bounty until discharged. The boys was all in the guard house for not going out on drill....” Light  handling evidence, else very good. $60-80 

4-17. “Beast Butler.”

Bold signature of Benj. F. Butler, from military document, with title “Maj. Genl.” also in his hand. Nov. 20, 1862. 1¼ x 4. Controversial  occupier of Baltimore, then New Orleans, Butler “showed a genius for arousing adverse criticism at home and embarrassing his  government in Europe... Although an incompetent general, Butler was so influential that Lincoln could not relieve him until after the  1864 elections”--Boatner. Postwar Presidential candidate. Glue stain touching first “B” from old mount on verso, else very good. $100-  130

4-18. An Elusive Union General.

Signature of “John J. Peck, Maj. Genl.,” in sepia ink, on pale-blue-lined cream, with wide margins. 2½ x 4. Leading at Yorktown,  Williamsburg, and Fair Oaks, Peck was badly injured during Seven Days at Suffolk, later commanding in the Dept. of Va. and N.C.  Minor handling evidence, else fine. Very scarce. $120-150

4-19. The Civil War - on the Floor of the Senate.

Signature of Charles Sumner, from a letter. In rich brown, on tan. ½ x 2½. A fiery foe of slavery, Sumner gained both fame - and injury  - from his 1856 Senate-floor speech. Criticizing South Carolina’s Sen. Butler, two days later Sumner was attacked and severely injured  by Butler’s nephew in the Senate Chamber. Supporting impeachment because of Johnson’s opposition to Confederate schools  admitting all children, Sumner contested Grant in the 1872 Presidential campaign. Mounted on older card. Darkening around “Su,”  closely cut at top of “S,” else very satisfactory. $50-75

4-20. Far from the Madding Crowd.

Signature “Irvin McDowell, Major General,” on 2½ x 4 white card. Attending college in France, McDowell then graduated from West  Point. Serving in Army headquarters before outbreak of Civil War, “it was then, through Gen. Scott, that he became well acquainted  with the officials of Lincoln’s administration...”--Boatner. Promptly defeated at 1st Bull Run - and severely criticized for 2nd Bull Run -  he was relieved of command, but exonerated, finishing the war as commander of Dept. of the Pacific, far from the fighting. Brown ink  interestingly graduated to golden mustard at first three and last three letters, mounting evidence on verso, else very good, and  attractive in a distinctive way. $65-85 

4-21. The Man who Never Slept - During a Campaign.

Signature “W.S. Rosecrans, Bvt. Majr. Genl. U.S.A.,” in fine grey-black on cream card, 2 x 3¼. As Commander of Dept. of Western Va.,  Rosecrans oversaw the formation of that state, the last to be created by breaking away from an existing state. Jousting with Bragg in  Tennessee in 1863, he outmaneuvered his adversary, gaining much ground over three months without actually engaging in battle, in  the Tullahoma campaign. “Old Rosy” was “able to do without sleep almost entirely during a campaign”--Boatner. Light boundary of  mounting corners at tips, else very fine and clean. $110-140 

4-22. “Our Brigade is called the John Morgan thieves of the North.”

Letter of Union soldier Woodcock (identified in a catalogue clipping accompanying), probably of the 92nd Ill. Infantry, “In Camp at  Dechard, Tenn.,” July 29, 1863, 5 x 8, 4 pp. “...We expected to be on the move this morning...The 2nd Brigade of our Div. (comprised of  the 68th, 75th & 101st Ind. & 105th Ohio Vols.) have moved out... Remaining here to get our mounts shoed & get our saddles...That  portion of our Regt. that was activated on Scout returned last night. They & the 72nd Ind. captured 1,100 head of horses & mules &  some 450 slaves. My boys were ordered to burn a house believed to have been the resort of guerrillas. Pat Malarky, Willie Hills &  several others set fire to the house, commencing the fire under the bed. The men had all skedaddled. The boys were obliged to hold the  women to keep them from extinguishing the flames, one old woman 65 or 70 fainted. The boys have a very pathetic tale to relate. Our  Brigade is called the John Morgan thieves of the North. 7 of our boys have not yet returned. Avery White is among the number. They  were ordered to Scout on the road to Centerville... Learned late last night they had arrived safely at Tullahoma & would join us  today...(Col. Sheets) is looking very poorly; his bowels are very much disarranged, being troubled with diarrhea & he is jagged out with  care & labor. Capt. Smith is well & riding a very fine horse, which in Morgan style he took from a sick Secesh. We have not yet recd. our  rifles & we are very anxious about them, the Enfield being a very ill shaped & clumsy thing to carry on horseback. Our next  encampment will be at the mountains. The boys are talking about having ice cream & ice cold lemonade...Anson(’s) feet are swelled.  The Dr. thinks they are poisoned, he not having worn shoes for weeks. He delights in going barefooted ...I dash about like mad,  especially when on old Rosy....” Only one Pat Malarky is shown in the Union rolls, a Pvt. in the 92nd Ill. Infantry. Old strip of brown  tape across bottom edge of p. 4, over signature, where once mounted, with toning of corresponding portion of p. 1; postage-stamp-sized  stain, light edge toning, else very good plus, with fine content. $130-170 

4-23. “I had my pistol ready when his horse gave a whine and he looked up....”

Vivid letter of Union soldier Zebulon P. Ryder, (11th Penna. Cavalry), Camp Suffolk, Nov. 29, (18)62, 5 x 8, 4 pp. To his mother. “...We  was out on picket for 7 days and we had a first rate time of it...I came pretty near getting captured by the Rebs day before yesterday as I  was a dispatch from the south quarry road...The road I took was a short through the woods, and the road was very narrow in some  places...There was a great many roads ran across it, and when I got about 6 or 7 miles I turned off on the right, when I ought to have  turned to the left, and as the sun was almost down I had the horse on a full run, and I had got about 4 miles on the road when my horse  came to a full stop and I could not get him to (go) any further faster than a walk, and I thought there must be something up and I kept a  sharp lookout. As I turned the corner I seen a man, a white horse leaning over and looking the other way and he did not see me, and a  little to one side I seen 7 or 8 more men mounted and busily talking to each other, and as it was pretty dark and the trees pretty thick  they did not see me. I stood looking at them two or three minutes and I had my pistol ready when his horse gave a whine and he looked  up and seen me, and as he did I fired two shots at him and then wheeled my horse around and put the spurs in him and away I went  and they after me, and they fired 3 shots at me, but as the road turned so much they could not keep sight of me, and could not hit me.  They chased me about 3 miles but they found they could not gain any on me so they gave it up...I think that I rode about 40 miles that  night, but I must stop writing as my finger is very sore where I cut it with my knife....” On uncommonly high-grade, laid lettersheet.  Light toning at folds, some handling, else very good, and splendid content. $150-190 

4-24. “For feere of...get robbed by the Rebels.”

Semi-literate letter of Union soldier Seely Sarles, Fortress Rosecrans, Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 11, 1864, 4¾ x 8, 1½ pp.,  painstakingly penned in raspberry-red ink with hint of fluorescence. “...I got the letter you sent to me with twelve post stamps in it. It  had gone to the Rigement [sic] and George Sarles had opened it and took out all but twelve...He hant got payed of now, where he is has  six months without pay nor they won’t get payed til this Campain is over for feere of being taken Prisener and get robbed by the  Rebels...Enclosed you will find $10 [not present]. We got paid here on Satterday....” Much wrinkled, some light water spots, else good  plus, and an unusual color ink. No record of this soldier found in standard sources, but Sgt. George F. Sarles, enlisted at Dover, N.Y.,  served at this same time in the 150th N.Y. Infantry. $55-75 

4-25. “On the Road to Richmond.”

Superior Union soldiers letter, in pencil, its constantly resharpened tip reflecting primitive field conditions. From “Benjamin,”  attributed to Lt. Benjamin Wright of Greenwich, Conn. “10th Regt. Conn. Vols., In the field / On the Road to Richmond, Aug. 1,”  (1864), 7½ x 9¾, 2 full pp. “Yesterday was a sorry day for us...We received orders to have three days rations cooked, and be ready to  march that night. Where we were to go was a mystery...Some said Mobile, some Washington, and others North Carolina...I was on the  sick list, and quite unwell...Just daylight in the morning the Regt. orders to fall in with Haversacks and canteen. Leave the knapsacks...I  soon found they were going to advance. The remainder of our Corps had crossed during the night...I put on my sword ...If anything is  going on I like to have a hand in it. Before I got to the Picket line the Musketry commenced ...We did not have to advance far outside of  our line before we found them. The engagement commenced at 5 o’clock. Co(mpanie)s A & F was on the Skirmish line on the right. Co.  C was supporting them. At 6 we made a charge and drove the Rebels out of their works. Their fire had been very severe. Capt. Quinn  was killed, Lt. Sharp as we thought at that time Mortally wounded, but I heard from him this morning... He might possibly recover but  he would never be able to see at all...Griffing has since died and there is no chance for Hall [both Cpls. in Co. A]. Some others were  killed in the Regt. We have now but one officer to a Co...After we had driven the Rebels into their main works, one of the Regt. of our  Brigade charged on a Rebel Battery on the right acrost 4 Mile Creek, and captured 4 Howitzers...Last night we moved across the creek  and staid on Strawberry Plain. We moved out towards noon about two miles on the road to Richmond, where we are now laying. We  have lost none at all today. What the object of the move is, is a profound mystery...I think I shall be able to stand it through.” The writer  saw action at Roanoke Island, New Bern, and the 1863 Charleston and 1864-65 Petersburg and Richmond campaigns. With older  typescript of Wright’s 1913 obituary. Several small spots, old postal folds, pencil varying every few lines from dark to light but legible,  and back to dark as he likely sharpened its tip with his knife, else about fine. $130-170 

4-26. Cooking Sauce and a Letter for Dinner!

Amusing Union soldiers letter from “Jesey,” Fort Warren, June 9, (1864), 4½ x 7½, 2¼ pp. To his parents. “I received your sauce,  shoe strings & Paper with much pleasure. I recd. the sauce just before dinner. I was in such a hurry to get it open that I took out my  knife. I commenced to rip & didn’t stop to undo the papers on the outside but put them in the stove & the Boys see a letter in the papers  but it was almost burned up when they see it so I didn’t know what was inside of it. The sauce served 2 meals for us. We use the can to  keep the coffee in that we had left over for breakfast...We get a good lot for breakfast & save what we don’t use for dinner. We do the  same with butter & cabbage, 1 pint of coffee for my own dear little self...We have some lux(u)ries ever(y) day from someone of our  section, Henry Ripley, Capt...of Bridgewater. When he went home (he) brought some as good fruit cake as ever I eat...We have been to  church this fore noon in this town...At 1 o’c. we go to the shore....” Air-pocket crease from original fold, else fine and clean. $70-90 

4-27. A Union Woman writes, “We have been too long in the wrong.”

Letter of American woman “Lissie C.,” May 18 (most likely 1863), 4 x 6¼, 6 pp. To Sue in Boston. Including infrequently-encountered  news of European sentiment on Lincoln and the war. “...I was kept in a ferment by an ugly tenant’s holding over on his rent and forcing  me to go before a justice, make an affidavit, get a constable, and turn the fellow out. I have...shown some people that a woman can  maintain her right even if she is a ‘lone one’...Pat’s head is full of war and his duty to his country on the Potomac. How do you feel with  regard to our prospects now? You must indeed be full of faith if our late reverse do not in some slight degree stagger it. We have been  too long in the wrong, and have too personally perversely persisted in it to expect a just Providence to smile on us at once & give us  success as a nation. We need purifying and I fear it will be long before even in high places right...I sometimes fear I shall lose all faith in  mankind and become, if I live to be one, a sorry uncharitable old woman. My friend Mrs. Yates writes from Paris that the South do not  lack for sympathy & friends abroad, & that Lincoln & Butler are associated in the minds of Europeans with the cause of the North and  the spirit which animates it in the prosecution of the War. So I judge these two individuals are considered pretty hard characters. The  one for his [Emancipation] Proclamation and the other for his rule in New Orleans. Do tell me how Butler is regarded in Boston, as to  his course South. He’s quite a favorite here because almost the only one who has dared to carry out without fear his views & principle...I  like what he has done for his Country....” Soft original folds, else very fine and fresh. $80-110 

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