 |
 |
 |
LETTER ARCHIVE SGT. EDGAR B.
BENNETT CO K. 1ST CONN. HEAVY ARTILLERY
1300
- I WAS IN FIVE BATTLE WITH LITTLE GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN LAST SUMMER,
May 7th, 1863, Fort Richardson, VA. 5+ pages in ink with stamped
cover, Sergt. Edgar Bennett, Co. K, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery. "We
are in so much danger we do not know what minute we will get shot. We
have been so hardened we do not think or fear the bullet. I habe had
many close to my ears when many of my comrades fell last summer. I was
in five battles on the Peninsula with little George B. McClellan but I
hope I never be on another for it is a dreadful thing to view - the
battlefield. There are so many killed or wounded...SILK REMNANTS FROM
THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in
the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March
1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st
Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the
famous "Dictator" mortar, letter and remnants
of the flag..................................$100.00
12269
- 1ST CONNECTICUT HEAVY ARTILLERY, BURYING THE DEAD AFTER HANOVER
COURT HOUSE, COMES WITH SILK FRAGMENTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG,
4 page letter written in red ink to his fiancée by Sergt. Edgar B.
Bennett, 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. Fort Richardson, VA, June 14th, 1863
with stamped cover. He relates in part..."There is no
respect for the Sabbath here. There has been more killed than we will
ever know of what has become of our armies. They have all not been
discharged nor in our hospitals, on no are they in the cold ground of
Virginia. Mary, I will tell you of what I have seen myself, at the
Battle of Hanover Court House. It came out in the papers that there
were about 100 killed and wounded but no so. I was detailed to bury
the dead. 4 regiments buried 3000 that were killed in that battle...it
is awful to think of it. I hope I shall never witness another battle,
more..." Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a
saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes with
remnants of red and blue silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct.
Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the
famous "Dictator" mortar, letter and remnants of the
flag.................................................$165.00
1301
- FORT LYON BLOWN UP KILLING 26 MEN WOUNDING 14 MORE, MORE NEGROES ARE
GETTING TO FIGHT, Fort Richardson, VA, June 19th, 1863. 4
pages in ink with stamped cover. Sergt. Edgar Bennett, Co. K, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery. "There is a great battle
progressing on the Rappahannock now, yesterday Fort Lyon near
Alexandria was blown up killing 26 and wounding 14 but more are
thought in the ruins. They are getting the NEGROES to fighting and I
am glad of it. They have in service 35,800 NEGROES so the government
will not want so many white soldiers from the North. There is no
planting here as the soldiers would steal everything...milk is now two
thirds water"...SILK REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett
was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near
Petersburg in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the
regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at
Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the
flag..............................................$100.00 1302
- MEN ARE ILL AND DYING FROM SUNSTROKE, TOO HOT FOR THE ARMY TO MOVE,
Fort Richardson, VA, August 7th, 1863. 3 pages in ink, Sergt. Edgar
Bennett, Co. K, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, "I went to
Fort Lyons to see your Uncle, had pictures made, they were no so good
as it was so warm. They did not take it in a tent...it is too warm for
the Army to move, last Sunday seven men in the regiment were sun
struck, one died instantly, also the Doctor cannot get up from his bed
due to the sun, there are many sun struck in Washington City,"
SILK REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett
was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near
Petersburg in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the
regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at
Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the
flag........................................$90.00 1303
- FORT RICHARDSON, VA, DOES NOT LIKE THE DRAFT, August 23rd,
1863. 2 pages in ink to his fiancée Mary, Sergt. Edgar Bennett,
Co. K, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery. "Mentions that his
Uncle has been drafted, I don't like it at all to see men brought out
here against their will for there are plenty in the north wanting to
come by their talk. I am afraid if my Uncle goes to war it will kill
his Father"...SILK REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED,
Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken
prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk
from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous
unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the
flag................................$70.00 1304
- FORT RICHARDSON, VA, MEN ARE DRAFTED AND MAY NEVER SEE THEIR HOMES
AGAIN, September 2nd, 1863. 3 pages in ink to his fiancée
Mary, by Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery.
He relates in part, "I will not worry about the draft
although my Uncles have been drafter, but I cannot help thinking and
feeling bad about those who have come here against their wills and
leave their homes to have their wives and children mourn their loss if
they should never return and many will never know how they died or
where they are buried...You can't believe the War news here, one day
Charleston is taken the next day it is not taken." SILK REMNANTS
FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in
the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March
1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st
Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the
famous "Dictator" mortar, letter and remnants
of the flag...........................................$75.00 1305
- THEY ARE HAVING CAVALRY SKIRMISHES EVERY DAY, Fort
Richardson, VA, October 27th, 1863. 2 pages in ink with a stamped
cover CDS Alexandria, VA, by Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut
Heavy Artillery. He relates to Mary in part, "They are
having cavalry skirmishes every day and the Union side never loses any
men killed or wounded, he just received a letter from his brother who
is moving from Illinois to Iowa as he likes it better in Iowa,"
SILK REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later
wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg
in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of
the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that
manned the famous "Dictator" mortar, letter
and remnants of the flag..................................$70.00 1306
- THE REBELS MADE A CAVALRY RAID AND CAPTURED SUPPLIES AND
PRISONERS, OUR CAVALRY WENT OUT AND TOOK 100 PRISONERS, Fort
Richardson, October 12th, 1863. Three pages in ink to Mary by Sergt.
Edgar Bennett, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery. He relates in part..."There
was a cavalry raid about five miles from here the other night. They
captured a great deal of stuff and sutler stores. The Rebels captured
a number of prisoners. Yesterday they was a brigade of cavalry that
went past here to where the Rebels made their raid and this morning
they came back with about 100 Rebel prisoners"...SILK REMNANTS
FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in
the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March
1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st
Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the
famous "Dictator" mortar, letter, stamped
cover and remnants of the
flag...............................................$145.00 1307
- SOLDIERS COMING THROUGH ARE HEADING TO TENNESSEE, Fort
Richardson, VA, October 31st, 1863. 3 pages in ink, with stamped cover
CDS Alexandria, VA, from Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy
Artillery to Mary his fiancée. He relates in part..."A lot
of soldiers are coming through here and going to Tennessee. They are
mostly veterans. Our officers are trying to get us to re-enlist; he
discusses the re-enlistment of the men in January in Connecticut.
Edger goes home for Christmas and becomes engaged to Mary"...SILK
REMNANTS FROM THE FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in the
hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865.
Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct.
Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the
famous "Dictator" mortar, letter and remnants
of the flag..........................$75.00 1308
- THE BOYS ARE ALL SNOWBALLING, Fort Richardson, VA, January
11, 1864. 3 pages to Mary, Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy
Artillery. He relates in part upon his arrival back in camp, "We
are building barracks, drilling the recruits which is keeping the
Sergeants and Corporals busy day and night, we received 15 more
recruits today, there are 7 men in our shanty instead of five, there
is so much noise that it is difficult to write, the boys are all
snowballing and having a time of it." SILK REMNANTS FROM THE
REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in the hand by
a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes
with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy
Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the flag, light water stains, pages 2/3
light but readable....................................................$60.00 1309
- BOYS AS YOUNG AS 13-14 ENLISTED BY GETTING THEM DRUNK,
January 19th, 1864. 6 pages, stamped cover CDS Alexandria, VA, Fort
Richardson, VA, Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery,
to Mary his fiancée. He relates in part..."Some of the
boys wanted me to drink some whiskey but I told them I did not use the
stuff, our camp is filled to 150 men, we get to sleep on oak planks
but the recruits were told we had feather beds...there are boys here
not more than 13-14 years old. They told some hard stories how they
got to enlist, some by getting liquor down them, we continue to build
barracks"...SILK REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett
was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near
Petersburg in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the
regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at
Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the
flag.........................................................$75.00 1310
- I WENT TO ALEXANDRIA TO BUY A VALENTINE FOR YOU, Fort
Richardson, VA, January 27th, 1864. 3 pages in ink to Mary from Sergt.
Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, with stamped cover CDS
Alexandria, VA. He relates in part..."I expect my bounty
check for $300 any day, I shall send it to you to hold as I don't fell
confident in keeping it here, I went to Alexandria to look for a
Valentine for you but all I saw was 'comic' ones so I did not buy one
for you so do not look for one from me," SILK REMNANTS FROM THE
REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in the hand by
a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes
with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy
Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the
flag................................$65.00 1311
- I SENT MY BOUNTY CHECK BY MAIL, Fort Richardson, VA,
February 4th, 1864. 2 pages in ink by Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in part..."I
decided to send on the 3rd a check for $300. I thought I would risk it
by mail. It would apt to be just as safe as by Express, he has very
little war news to tell her from where he is," SILK REMNANTS FROM
THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in the
hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865.
Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct.
Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the
famous "Dictator" mortar, letter and remnants
of the flag..........................................$65.00 1312
- BEFORE PETERSBURG, VA, February 21st, 1864. 2 pages in ink
with stamped cover, CDS Alexandria, VA, to Mary from Sergt. Edgar
Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He relates in part..."I
just got back from my old place from sharp shooting. I had very good
luck in getting back but I had to go to Annapolis, MD, so I got on the
mail boat at 8 o'clock and got into City Point at 3 in the
afternoon," more newsy notes to Mary. SILK REMNANTS FROM THE
REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in the hand by
a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes
with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy
Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the flag..............................$65.00 1313
- THE WAR DEPARTMENT WILL PAY US $16 PER MONTH, Fort
Richardson, VA, February 26th, 1864. 2 pages written in red ink from
Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery to Mary..."The
War department has concluded that they will pay the soldiers $16 per
month," more news to his fiancée Mary. SILK REMNANTS FROM THE
REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in the hand by
a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes
with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy
Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the
flag....................................$55.00
1314
- WISHES HE COULD BE FREE FROM THE BOUNDS OF SOLDERING,
Fort Richardson, VA, March 4th, 1864. 2 pages in
ink to Mary from Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy
Artillery. He philosophizes about his situation to Mary, "I
have roved through many a weary round and I have found nothing but
naught in vain, while glory sighs for other spheres I think that the
home that lone endears is worth the world, could I once more be free
from the ties I am now bound of soldering." SILK REMNANTS FROM
THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in the
hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865.
Comes with remnants of silk form the regimental flag of the 1st Ct.
Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the
famous "Dictator" mortar, letter and remnants
of the flag..................................$65.00
1315
- EXCUSE THE WRITING AS IT IS DARK IN THESE BARRACKS, Fort
Richardson, VA, March 8th, 1864. 2 pages in ink to his
"Minnie" [Mary his fiancée]. He relates in part...News
is scarce, they are fixing the barracks, it is so noisy one can hardly
think, he has to go on guard tomorrow in the rain, please excuse the
writing as it is very dark in the barracks, he describes the
barracks...80' long, 30' wide, 150 men in them, two rows of bunks
three high, the top ones are 6' from the floor, 6 men in a bunk area,
2 in each tier, the aisle through the barracks is 8' wide, we have two
stoves in each barracks," a good act of the barracks at Fort
Richardson, VA." SILK REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED,
Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken
prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk
from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous
unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and remnants of the
flag.................................................$85.00
1316
- THE BOYS ARE GOING HOME TO VOTE, Fort Richardson, VA, March
16th, 1864. 3 pages in ink to Mary from Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He relates in part..."I have
been busy all day gettting furloughs ready for the boys going home to
vote, when I get paid I will send money home to Father, more camp
news." Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut
and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A famous unit at
Petersburg than manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, comes with a stamped cover postmarked Alexandria,
VA.............................................$55.00
1317
- A HUGE SNOWFALL HAS BURIED THE CAMP AND INTO THE BARRACKS,
March 24th, 1864. 2 pages in ink from Sergt. Edgar Bennett, comes with
a stamped cover postmarked Alexandria, VA. He relates to Mary in
part..."The snow blew into the barracks as bad as it did
outdoors, we were all wet even our beds, the blankets were all wet
through, everything I have to my name is wet, most of the boys do not
have dry blankets to sleep under tonight. It was more than
uncomfortable as it was so call I could not get out for roll call this
morning. Today we went out and snowballed most of the day. They boys
are now around the stoves drying their clothes, many are
sick...Charter the drummer is just going to beat the call so I must
close." There are light water stains due to the paper being wet
before he wrote the letter...Bennett was later wounded in the hand
by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A
famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar.......................................$75.00
1318
- HE SENDS MARY A CONFEDERATE $20 BILL, Fort Richardson, VA,
April 26th, 1864. 4 pages in ink from Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He relates in part to Mary, "Alexandria
and Washington are full of soldiers. There is nothing to see here but
soldiers and wagon trains for miles upon miles, the city ID full of
music from the bands and drummer corps. I am now in the 1st Corps and
get $17 per month. MINNIE HERE IS SOME CONFEDERATE MONEY..."
Bennett has enclosed a 1862 Confederate $20 banknote in fine condition
with this letter which is a tad light but quite readable, a nice
souvenir for his fiancée. Bennett was later wounded in the hand by
a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A
famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and Confederate
note........................................$150.00
1319
- REPORTS ON THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS, May 8th, 1864. 2+
pages in ink, stamped cover postmarked Alexandria, VA, from Sergt.
Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in
part..."We have had plenty of news from the front. They are
fighting now and have been fighting for three days [Battle of the
Wilderness], the papers say there are severe losses on both sides. It
says tonight that there losses are 13,000. His losses [Confederate]
wounded is 10,000 and killed 3,000. They say our losses are heavy but
don't say how much, the troops on the Peninsular are doing well
though, we continue to drill for 2 hours each day"...SILK
REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later
wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg
in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of
the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that
manned the famous "Dictator" mortar, letter
and remnants of the
flag................................................................$165.00
1320
- WE ARE ON THE MOVE-ON TO PETERSBURG,
Camp White, VA, May 10th, 1864. 3 pages in bold pencil
with a stamped cover postmarked Alexandria, VA, from Sergt. Edger
Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in
part..."We have started for the front, we left Fort
Richardson today about noon and are in little shelter tents, we carry
our houses and beds on our backs but the officers don't, one good
thing is they let us leave our dress coats behind, I can't write much
as I have nothing to write on but my knee. I can't write with a pen so
I hope you can read this. I do not know how quick you will received
this as we will travel by water and it may be a week before I can mail
it," Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and
taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A famous unit at
Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and
cover................................................$85.00 1321
- WE ARE NINE MILES FROM RICHMOND, Camp near Petersburg, VA,
May 15th, 1864. 3 pages in pencil from Sergt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Conn.
Heavy Artillery to Mary, comes with a stamped cover postmarked OLD
POINT COMFORT, VA. He relates in part..."We have
pork and crackers and coffee when we are not too lazy to cook it, we
have our siege train with us and are now with General Butler...we
expect to be engaged in battle each day, at present we are nine miles
from the City of Richmond." Bennett was later wounded in the
hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A
famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and cover...........................$85.00 1322
- BOYS CAME IN AFTER BEING UNDER FIRE FOR EIGHT DAYS, Camp
near Petersburg, VA, May 18th, 1864. 3 pages in bold pencil by Srgt.
Edgar Bennett, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery. He relates to Mary in
part..."I see the 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, and 21st Connecticut
Regiments. They are all within 2 miles of here. We are among the
reserve artillery now. We have very little to eat but crackers and
hard pork and hardly enough of that, I have not had a good nights
sleep since we left Alexandria and have not taken my clothes off for
nine days. I have never witnessed such times. Some boys from
Burlington came in from the field after being under the enemy's fire
for eight days steady." Bennett was later wounded in the hand
by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A
famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, good letter from Bennett just before he was thrust into
action.........................................$110.00 12271
- WE ARE IN THE PRINCIPAL POINT FOR THE REBELS TO ATTACK US, PUTTING
UP PROTECTION FOR THE GUN, June 9th, 1864, Camp in the field.
A hurried pencil 2 page letter by Sgt. Edgar B. Bennett of the 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery to his fiancée Mary. He relates in part
to her..."We are still under the fire of the Rebels,
everybody is at work to protect themselves. My detachment is putting
up mantelet in front of the gun to protect from fragments of shells
coming through the embrasure and killing the men. You perhaps have
seen in the papers about General Terry's brigade and about his front
having to do all the artillery fighting. General Terry [Alfred Howe
terry Brig. Gen.] is commander of the X Corps. He is in our works all
the time the firing is going on for we are at the principal point for
the Rebs to attack. It is an open field in front of us."
Letter comes with the stamped cover as well as SILK FRAGMENTS FROM
THE REGIMENTAL FLAG OF THE 1ST CONN. HEAVY ARTILLERY...Bennett was
later wounded in front of Petersburg by a saber cut and captured in
March of 1865. His regiment manned the famous mortar "Dicator"
that fired on Petersburg from a railroad car......................................................................$195.00
1323
- VIRGINIA IS QUITE A GRAVE YARD, MORE WILL DIE IF GRANT MOVES AGAIN
THIS MONTH, Camp in the field near Petersburg, VA, June 12th,
1864. 3 pages in bold pencil by Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut
Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in part..."The Signal
Officers say that Grant will try and move again this week, a lot of
soldiers will get killed or wounded if he does. The 2nd Connecticut
Vol. Infantry has lost 385 men in their regiment...we get two loves of
soft bread a week and the rest is crackers, Virginia has to be quite a
grave yard! I got to go outside our lines to see the Rebel shells they
have thrown over here and not burst. They could be picked up by the
wagonloads but no ones dare to touch them. It is a sad sight to see
the headboards of dead soldiers from our regiment...when the Rebs are
quite we go to the steam and wash up." Comes with a
stamped cover postmarked OLD POINT COMFORT, VA. SILK REMNANTS
FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in
the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March
1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st
Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the
famous "Dictator" mortar, letter, cover and
remnants of the flag........................................$145.00 1324
- CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG, VA, June 20th, 1864. One page letter
in pencil to Mary by Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery.
He relates in this short letter "we have not have had any
fighting since Saturday, today it is quite on our front," SILK
REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later
wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg
in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of
the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that
manned the famous "Dictator" mortar, letter
and remnants of the flag.............................$75.00 1325
- THERE IS FIGHTING ON BOTH SIDE OF US, CANNONS CAN BE HEARD FOR MILES,
Camp in the field near Petersburg, VA, June 27th, 1864. 3 pages in
bold pencil [very light stains], to Mary from Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He relates in part, "Myself
and 13 other men were moved to what is called a redon and about 300
yards from the Rebel pickets. Our company is the only one left here as
the rest of the regiment has gone to Petersburg...yesterday they were
fighting on both sides of us and very hard. The cannon can be heard
for miles. Our Colonel has left us and is now on General Grant's staff
and our Major is now on General Terry's Staff so we have but one staff
officer. The other day they gave us pickles and onions, peppers and
cabbages and soft bread. We have plenty to eat and drink and some
fresh beef...sometimes draw him and bacon, we do not know where Grant
is?" Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and
taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes with remnants of
silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A
famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter comes with a stamped postal cover postmarked OLD
POINT COMFORT, VA, an excellent letter and cover.......................................$145.00 1325A
- REDAN #2 NEAR THE JAMES RIVER, FIGHTING ALL AROUND US TODAY,
June 30th, 1864. Two pages in pencil written in the field by Srgt.
Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in
part..."I am very anxious here and hope to be able to
rejoin my company and am keeping a eye for a company of the 13th NY
Artillery to relieve me, there has been hard fighting all around us
today, we expect fighting in our front and there is every indication
of it now, most of our regiment is a Petersburg...I must go as the
officer in charge has sent for me." Bennett was later wounded
in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March
1865. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar. An interesting letter when his redan was just about to be
attacked.......................................$95.00
1325B
- ALL THE COMPANIES HAVE LOST MEN ON THIS TOUR, WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN
GRANT, Camp in the field [on James River], July 4th, 1864. 3
pages in pencil to Minnie [Mary] by Srgt. Edgar B. Bennett, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He relates in part..., "The
regiment is broken up in several camps, we have lost a number of men,
Company I lost 7, Company D has lost 3 or 4, and the other companies
more or less. They have been fighting at Petersburg quite hard and the
same for Grant here as it was with Old Abe at the fair in
Philadelphia. [Lincoln's Philadelphia Speech in June asked for more
troops for General Grant's Army] Grant will fight it out on this line
if it takes all summer but we all have faith in General Grant." Bennett
was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near
Petersburg in March 1865. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned
the famous "Dictator" mortar, letter and
stamped cover. 2 items............................$115.00
1326
- THERE HAS BEEN HARD FIGHTING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE JAMES RIVER,
THE SOLDIERS DON'T LIKE ABE, Battery Anderson, VA, August
20th, 1864. 3 pages in ink to Mary by Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery, letter and stamped cover OLD POINT
COMFORT, VA. He relates in part..."There has been
hard fighting on the north side of the James River for several days
past. We still remain in our battery...Petersburg is the same it has
been for the past two months. There is a great deal of talk of
politics here and most of the soldiers in for McClellan. THERE IS
LITTLE SAID IN FAVOR OF ABE, THEY DON'T LIKE HIM AT ALL." SILK
REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later
wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg
in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of
the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that
manned the famous "Dictator" mortar, letter,
cover and remnants of the flag.............................$145.00
1327
- THE 6TH AND 7TH CONNECTICUT REGIMENTS HAVE BEEN IN ALL THE
ENGAGEMENTS, Battery Anderson, VA, August 29th, 1864. 3 pages
in ink to Mary by Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy
Artillery. He relates in part..."The 6th and 7th Regiments
have been in all the engagements this side of the James River and the
north side too, and they have now gone to Petersburg, he feels that
along with many others the war was right." SILK REMNANTS FROM THE
REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later wounded in the hand by
a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. Comes
with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of the 1st Ct. Heavy
Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter, stamped cover and remnants of the
flag............................................$125.00
1328
- THE CONFEDERATE BATTERY AT DUTCH GAP THREW SHELLS WEIGHING 200# INTO
OUR BATTERY, September 11th, 1864, Battery Sawyer, VA. 3 page
letter in ink to Mary from Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy
Artillery. He relates in part..."We have not gone to
Petersburg yet as we were ordered...as long as I have been in the Army
I have never witnessed what I did yesterday...the Rebs have what we
call the Howlett House Battery [at Dutch Gap]. It commands the river
around Turkey Bend. At about 12 o'clock they with 20# Parrott guns
began to shell us in our battery. We had not fired a shot when the
Howlett House Battery opened up on us and with the great guns they
threw shells that weighted 200 pounds right into our battery. Nothing
ever made me afraid before then since I have been in the Army. They
continued their fire for two hours...they burst their shells in our
battery...we were all covered with dirt several times." Bennett
was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near
Petersburg in March 1865. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned
the famous "Dictator" mortar, an excellent
letter by Bennett.....................................................$165.00

1329 - WE MOVE TO PETERSBURG
TOMORROW, Battery Anderson, VA, September 12th, 1864. Two
pages in ink to Mary from Srgt. Edgar Bennett, written on his personal
stationary...Company K, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He relates in
a short letter to Mary..."We go to Petersburg tomorrow
morning the 13th, I must make this short as we are packing for the
move in the morning," Bennett was later wounded in the hand
by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A
famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, unique stationary by Bennett, Seal with Eagle,
fine........................................$95.00
1330
- THE SHARPSHOOTERS KEEP UP THEIR DEADLY WORK, Battery #10
near Petersburg, VA, September 27th, 1864. Two pages in ink to Mary
from Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He relates
in part..."We have not heard the particulars from Butler's
lines but there has been fighting that has lasted two days...the
Sharpshooters keep up their deadly work. They kill three or four each
day, Oh it is awful to see how they work for it as it is sure death
for the men they take aim at!", Bennett was later wounded in
the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March
1865. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and stamped cover postmarked Washington, 2
items...............................................$145.00
12272
- HE HOPED MCCLELLAN BECOMES PRESIDENT AS HE VOTED FOR HIM, THINKS MAC
HAS THE VOTING MAJORITY IN HIS COMPANY, BEFORE PETERSBURG, A BLACK
REPUBLICAN ISSUES A THREAT ON HIS VOTE, Before Petersburg,
October 21st, 1864. 3 pages letter by Sgt Edgar B. Bennett, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in part to her..."There
is fighting going on all the time North of the James River, the
cannonading has been heard here distinctly for several days...On the
19th, the appointed men of the Governor came to pick up the votes of
the 1st Connecticut Vol. Artillery. They arrived and took the votes. I
had but one vote and voted for George McClellan but for no one else.
Oh there was some hard talk. One "Back Republican" said when
I took my vote and sealed it that a man who would vote that ticket
ought to have his throat cut...there was quite a bit of McClellan men
near and we delivered the votes to Captain Bruster. It was all done in
15 minutes time. There were about 47 votes in the company and as near
as we could learn "Mac": had the majority by 6 or 7. I
hope he will get in as President. It would be worth a great deal to
all of us." An excellent letter regarding the election of
1864 between Lincoln and McClellan. Bennett was later wounded in front
of Petersburg by a saber cut and captured in March of 1865. His
regiment manned the famous mortar "Dictator" that fired on
Petersburg from a railroad car......................................................................$140.00
1330A
- GRANT HAD TO LEAVE THE DEAD AND WOUNDED ON THE FIELD AS LEE WAS TOO
STRONG, October 30th, 1864. 3 pages in ink to Mary, before
Petersburg, VA, by Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Connecticut Heavy
Artillery. He relates in part, "The army has earned me a
good lesson I will never forget and many others will not forget
either, Grant's move on the left resulted him leaving the field with
his dead and wounded on it for Lee was too strong for him to take
Petersburg or Richmond. When Grant left the field he left 180 wounded
or thereabouts, perhaps more for the Rebels to take care of. Oh how
sad it will make the mothers and Sisters of those who were left on the
field to die in such a horrible death as they would have to if they
died there." Bennett was later wounded in front of Petersburg
by a saber cut and captured in March of 1865. His regiment manned the
famous mortar "Dictator" that fired on Petersburg from a
railroad car, comes with a stamped cover cancelled Washington, 2 items...................................................$170.00
1331
- THE PAPERS SAY LINCOLN IS RE ELECTED, before
Petersburg, VA, November 11th, 1864. Two pages in ink by Srgt. Edgar
Bennett, 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in part, "One
year today I was in Washington receiving greenbacks for three more
years, but now what they are trying to do but offering $1800 in
greenbacks or $1000 in gold for 5 years in the regular army, those who
have served one year will get a 60 day furlough but I don't think so
much of it...THE NEWSPAPERS SAY LINCOLN IS REELECTED BUT I HOPE HE IS
NOT...we have a new Captain and he is a good one. He is rough but we
all know him", Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a
saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A
famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter and stamped cover postmarked Washington, 2
items................................$125.00
1332
- THANKSGIVING IN CAMP 1864, Before Petersburg, VA, November
25th, 1864. Three pages in ink to Mary by Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st
Conn. Heavy Artillery. He relates in part..."Today I got
for my battery of 16 men, two geese and a turkey, we had a fashionable
dinner with potatoes...the pickets were quiet yesterday from shooting,
describes the scene when the soldiers got drunk from whiskey...I have
never seen so many drunk in camp, it was disgraceful to see,"
SILK REMNANTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG INCLUDED, Bennett was later
wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg
in March 1865. Comes with remnants of silk from the regimental flag of
the 1st Ct. Heavy Artillery. A famous unit at Petersburg that
manned the famous "Dictator" mortar, letter,
stamped cover and remnants of the
flag..............................................$115.00
1333 - HARD FIGHTING TO OUR LEFT
THIS MORNING, Before Petersburg, December 5th, 1864. 4 pages
in ink by Srgt. Edgar Bennett to Mary. He relates in part, "There
are great moves being made in the Army and we think that there will be
a great battle fought before long, I used to smoke quite a bit but I
will now stop. With a friend we both will stop smoking pipes nor any
tobacco except segars [?] until we get in garrison duty again, I think
it shall be a good thing for us both...since morning there has been
some hard fighting to the left of us, they could not send up our bread
today due to the fighting on our left," Bennett was later
wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg
in March 1865. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter with stamped
cover....................................................$90.00
1334
- GRANT WAS NOT AS SUCCESSFUL AS HOPED, Before Petersburg,
December 16th, 1864. Three pages in ink to Mary by Srgt. Edgar B.
Bennett, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery. He relates in part..."Grant
was not as successful as he might have been, no one knows about the
great move Grant was going to make to annihilate the Rebel Army, we
all want to see our General R. O. Tyler...Colonel Abbott is appointed
Brig. General so we will soon have a new Colonel. There are rumors
that the Rebels are evacuating Petersburg." Bennett was later
wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg
in March 1865. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter with stamped
cover..............................................$100.00
1335
- BUTLER CONTINUES ON HIS CANAL, THE OFFICERS ARE STILL DRUNK,
Before Petersburg, January 2nd, 1865. 3 pages in ink to Mary by Srgt.
Edgar B. Bennett, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery. He relates in part..."Yesterday,
Sunday was the first time we ever had orders not to fire on Sunday and
I think it was on account the Commanding general knew that the
officers would get drunk and then try an see what they could do, some
of the officers were drunk all Saturday night and they have not gotten
sober yet. Such a crowd of officers I have never seen in the Army in
my life as we are getting these days for they spend more on whiskey
than their pay amounts to...Butler continues on his canal at the James
River." Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut
and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A famous unit at
Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter with stamped
cover......................................................$100.00
1336
- THE REBELS CAME UP LAST NIGHT AND BUILT A SHANTY IN FRONT OF THE
PICKETS, Before Petersburg, VA, January 8th, 1865. 3 pages in
ink by Srgt. Edgar B. Bennett, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery to Mary. He
relates in part..."The Rebels came out last night, they had
the impatience to come out in front of their picket line and put up
some sort of a shanty. For what it is for nobody knows. Some think it
is for sharpshooters...the muddy conditions are so bad we can hardly
wall." Bennett was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut
and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A famous unit at
Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter with stamped
cover......................................$100.00
1337
- NEWS OF THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS, Before Petersburg, January
11th, 1865. Three pages in ink from Srgt. Edgar Bennett, 1st Conn.
Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in part..."He has heard
that there is a report of the Peace Commissioners at the camp, talks
of the snowfall and the boys playing in the snow before it melts, he
mentions that soldiers are being sent to a school," Bennett
was later wounded in the hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near
Petersburg in March 1865. A famous unit at Petersburg that manned
the famous "Dictator" mortar, letter with
stamped cover.....................................$70.00
1338
- OUR WORKS HAVE CAVED IN TO OUR MAGAZINE, Before Petersburg,
January 22nd, 1865. 3 pages in ink by Srgt. Edgar B. Bennett, Co. K,
1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery to Mary. He relates in part..."The
works have all caved in even to our magazine and we have been
rebuilding them night and day...as the tops of the magazine are higher
than our breastworks we have to work at night [to avoid being shot by
sharpshooters], wonders when some of the men are that went towards
Charleston as they have not arrived at Wilmington, we think they will
meet Sherman in Charleston." Bennett was later wounded in the
hand by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in march 1865.
A famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter with stamped cover.......................$100.00
1339
- I HOPE FOR A FURLOUGH, Before Petersburg, January 26th,
1865. Two pages in pen to Mary by Srgt. Edgar B. Bennett, Co. K, 1st
Connecticut Heavy Artillery to his fiancée Mary Marsh. He states
that..."his is one of three furloughs pending approval at
Headquarters, if he gets one it will be for only 15 days and much of
that time will be taken up by traveling back and forth from home, the
news is quiet there." Bennett was later wounded in the hand
by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg in March 1865. A
famous unit at Petersburg that manned the famous "Dictator"
mortar, letter with cover [stamped
removed]..............................................$55.00
1340
- THE REBELS ARE HAVING A LARGE NUMBER OF FIRES IN PETERSBURG,
Before Petersburg, VA, March 23rd, 1865. Two pages in ink to Mary for
Srgt. Edgar B. Bennett, 1st Conn. Heavy Artillery. He relates in part
to her..."The rebels are having a large number of fires in
Petersburg of late. They had two there today...mentions he just got a
cat and the boys named her "Sesesh" since she came from
Petersburg." Probably the last letter Bennett wrote before
his being wounded by a saber cut and taken prisoner near Petersburg.
This regiment manned the huge mortar called the "Dictator"
during the Petersburg siege......................................................$85.00
12263 - A GROUPING OF CIVIL WAR
LETTERS, 11 letters, 10 Union and 1 Confederate. The
Confederate letter is dated at Lynchburg, VA, mentions his wound
healing [bold pencil], the other 10 Union letters are datelined from
Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The content is mostly
camp discussions, one from a hospital, two in bold pencil, the
remainder in ink. Dates vary from 1862-64, one undated. One letter is
fringed with red/blue ink [patriotic]. Condition is very good to very
fine. An excellent little grouping of authentic Civil War letters at a
very moderate price. Just as we bought them in a small collection and
having spent no time to transcribe they are a bargain
at........................................$295.00
12265
- 34TH MASS INFANTRY, DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON, PATRIOTIC STATIONARY,
October 17th, 1862. 4 pages letter from Diedric M. Day, Co. G., 34th
Mass. Rose colored Miss
Liberty patriotic stationary with horn of plenty in arms.
To his Mother...He has
learned that a great battle has been fought in Tennessee and the
Rebels have been badly whipped and many of their officers killed and
captured, another battle in Kentucky. He expects a great battle to be
fought soon in Virginia and a force of about 8000 are moving towards
Richmond, he understands 10,000 Rebel cavalry are in this valley
marching upon Alexandria. We have not seen them yet although our
outposts have been driven in once, he mentions the strings of forts
around the city, many thousands of Union soldiers and artillery are in
position around Washington, if they come they will meet with a warm
reception........................................$115.00 12266
- GREAT PATRIOTIC LETTERSHEET, BREAKING UP JEFF DAVIS' BALL,
October 9th, 1864, West Point, VA. Three pages ink letter by Lt. David
S. Harpet, 179th PA, fantastic letter sheet "How the
Veterans broke up Jeff Davis' Ball", great vignettes with
6 eight line stanzas, the letter vividly describes his visit to
Washington, the post office, Treasury, the Capital and the
Whitehouse..."went into Old Abe's room but he was not there
and had just left about five minutes before but some of the boys saw
him...moved down the Potomac by boat to City Point and then threw up
breastworks, the trench is about 10 miles long, they are within 15
miles of Richmond, the Rebels are within three miles, heavy cannon
firing, they have a report that General Butler took two rebel
gunboats, feels safe where they are...he will never desert...remarks
that the substitutes are used hard and sent to the hardest places,
carloads after carloads are being sent to the front. Comes with a
cover with Harpel's name and address as he abruptly ends the letter
without signing it.............................................................................$125.00
12267
- 1ST CONNECTICUT CAVALRY, JACKSON HAS TO RETREAT FROM MANASSAS AND
HAS TO COME THIS WAY, Datelined Camp Duryea 1862, patriotic
stationary "The War for the Union", red and blue battle
scene. 4 page bold pencil letter from Lucius E. Holcomb, Company A,
1st Connecticut Cavalry. He relates in part..."There is one
regiment here with us now with two cannons, there was other cavalry
here the other day and had five Rebel prisoners, they crossed the
river and put the stars and stripes on the courthouse, there has been
about 100 of them taken [prisoners], there were 12 taken in one night.
We are camped on the property of an old secessionist and he offered us
$1000 not to camp on his farm, and we made him take the Oath of
Allegiance. We expect that General Jacson [Jackson] has to retreat
from Manassas and that he has to come this way..." Although
this letter is just dated "1862", Holcomb died on July 30th,
1862 thus the letter was probably written from April-July 1862 based
on Jackson's movements during that period. Nice letter sheet..............................................................................$125.00
12268
- 3RD VERMONT INFANTRY, 5TH US CAVALRY, CAMP BELTON, VA,
October 31st, 1863. 4 page letter in ink from George M. Harriman 3rd
VT Infantry later US 5th Cav., Camp Belton, VA. Mentions they
constantly move their camps around, wishes they would get paid soon,
those at home state that they wish that they could kill a Rebel as
they go out and kill game but if you can see they way they fight your
would change their minds for they fight hard and whip us sometimes.
The Rebels are only four miles away and a fight will ensue if they
don't move across the river. They are only a few miles north of the
river and it would be easy for them to get across. 5th US
Cavalry: The regiment's history began in 1855, organizing on
28 May 1855 as the 2nd United States Cavalry Regiment at Louisville,
Kentucky. A few months later, on 27 September 1855, under the command
of Col. Albert Sidney Johnston, the regiment marched west to Texas to
fight in its first Indian Campaign. Later on, Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee
succeeded Colonel Johnston as the commander. The regiment fought in a
total of thirteen Indian Campaigns, symbolized by the arrow head
shaped regimental crest. Other officers of the regiment who became
prominent in the American Civil War besides Johnson and Lee were
Majors William J. Hardee and George H. Thomas; Captains Earl Van Dorn,
George Stoneman, and Edmund Kirby Smith; and Lieutenants John Bell
Hood and Fitzhugh Lee. Early in 1861, the regiment went to Carlisle
Barracks, where the officers and men loyal to the South left the
regiment to serve in the Confederacy. Lieutenant Colonel Lee was
replaced by t. Col. George Henry Thomas. In the summer of 1861, the
regiment was re-designated as the 5th United States Cavalry; the
numerical designation it holds to this day. During the Civil War, the
troopers of the 5th Cavalry made a gallant charge at Gaines' Mill on
27 June 1862, saving the Union artillery from annihilation. This
battle is commemorated on the regimental crest by the Cross moline, in
the yellow field on the lower half of the crest. This letter was
written while he served in the 5th US Cavalry. Very scarce unit...........................................................$150.00
12270
- REPORTS ON THE FIGHTING NEAR GETTYSBURG, THERE WILL BE A GREAT
BATTLE FOUGHT TODAY, July 4th, 1863. Four page letter in ink
datelined Fort Richardson, VA by Sgt. Edgar B. Bennett, 1st Conn.
Heavy Artillery to his fiancée Mary, comes with stamped postal cover
along with RED AND BLUE SILK FRAGMENTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL FLAG
OF HIS UNIT. He relates in part to her..."The two
contending armies have met and are fighting desperately in Maryland,
and I think today will be a great battle as it is the 4th of July. If
they fight today it will be as large a battle as in on record
[Gettysburg]. Describes his past 4th of July's in the army,
Hagerstown, Harrison's Landing, more". Bennett was
later wounded in front of Petersburg by a saber cut and captured in
March of 1863. His regiment manned the famous mortar
"Dictator" that fired on Petersburg from a railroad car.
Letter, cover, flag fragments....................................................................$150.00
SOLD
11242
- DURING THE BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE, A DELAWARE INDIAN SOLDIER
STABBED A NEGRO, HOOKER CROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK, May the
4th, 1863, two page letter in ink from Cunningham Johnston, 118th PA.
He relates to his friend, Mr. Hiram Whitford, Thank you for your
letter received. I am not very well as I have a bad cold. There are a
lot of fellows went out on a scout today and don't know whether they
will fetch anything but they generally do. One of the "Darkey's"
asked one of the Delaware for two dollars that he owed him and the
Delaware stabbed him [Delaware Indians served the Union during the war
many as scouts]. They had him in jail and he got out last Saturday.
They found him at Williamsburg and they fetched him back. Our fellows
still hold Williamsburg and they calculate they hold it. General
Hooker has crossed the river Rappahannock and has killed from three to
five hundred and has taken a lot of prisoners besides. I guess Hooker
calculates to cut off their supplies and tear up their railroads. Last
Friday the rebs came within three of four miles of our picket lines
and took off a lot of Darkeys. Our fellows went out last Saturday and
seen lot of Rebel cavalry and saw them at night again but they didn't
come close to do anything...he tells them to make sure they put up all
the oats they can...from Cunningham [Johnston]. After the
"Mud March", the 118th returned to camp at Falmouth,
which it occupied until April 27, 1863. It was closely engaged at
the Battle of Chancellorsville, again suffering considerable
casualties. The 118th was in camp at Falmouth until June 10 when the
Army of the Potomac commenced its northward movement for the
Gettysburg Campaign. The Corn Exchange Regiment acted as support in
the cavalry engagements of Aldie, Upperville, and Middleburg. The
regiment reached Gettysburg early on July 2, 1863. At four o'clock
that afternoon, the 118th went into action in support of Maj. Gen.
Daniel Sickles' III Corps and was closely engaged, losing 3 killed, 19
wounded, and 3 missing or captured. On the 3rd, the regiment was moved
to Big Round Top, where it remained without engagement. Following the
battle, it then joined in the pursuit of the retreating Confederates
and encountered the enemy on July 4. This letter was written near
Falmouth, VA, before Johnston was engaged in the actual battle where
the Federal army had established a base for the battle. Fine, rare
content mentioning an Indian killing a black. Johnston was later a POW
at Cold Harbor..........................................................$250.00
SOLD
11240
- MORGAN'S OHIO RAID 1863 PAYMENT FOR REPELLING INVASION, it
was one of the boldest cavalry operations of the Civil War. In July of
1863, General John Hunt Morgan led 2,500 Confederate cavalryman on a
daring, three-week raid through Indiana and Ohio. Morgan and his men
eluded pursuing Federal cavalry, diverted Federal troops and resources
and delayed important Northern military operations. In the beleaguered
South, news of Morgan's Raid boosted morale. Morgan and his cavalrymen
were relentlessly pursued by determined Federal cavalry commanded by
Generals Edward H. Hobson and Henry M. Judah. They met staunch
resistance by Midwestern civilians throughout the length of their
raid. In Montgomery, Ohio -- a village near Cincinnati -- Morgan's
Raiders received a chilly reception from defiant townspeople. With
Northern forces closing in, Morgan's harried troops pushed on across
Ohio. Five days after Morgan's men entered Montgomery, Hobson's and
Judah's Federal troops overtook the Rebel raiders at Buffington
Island, Ohio and captured approximately 700 Southern soldiers. Morgan
and his men raced northward, but were finally cornered in northeastern
Ohio near the Pennsylvania
border. There, on July 26, 1863, Morgan was faced to surrender his
command near West Point, Ohio -- barely 70 miles from Lake Erie.
Although Morgan would daringly escape from imprisonment and return to
Confederate command, he would be mortally wounded on another raid. In
the South, his exploits would become part of the legacy of the Lost
Cause. In Ohio, generations to come would recall the days when the
citizens of the Buckeye State defied the Rebel Raiders in the alarming
time of Morgan's Ohio Raid. This raid also resulted in destruction of
farms and loss of stock as a result of Morgan's foraging of the
countryside as well as destroying important inter structure to hinder
pursuit. The Treasurer's disbursement voucher below was used in
payment for militia soldiers [citizen volunteers] who rose up to
defend the State from Morgan's Invasion. Morgan struck 49 Ohio towns
during his infamous raid. These vouchers were issued in Columbus
in 1864 well after a year from the date of Morgan's Invasion and are
noted "for repelling Invasion." Very fine
examples...................$75.00/each
8080
- HIS NEPHEW IS A POW IN RICHMOND, HAD THE LOCK SHOT OFF HIS GUN AT
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG,
Dora, Wabash County, Indiana, April 4th, 1864. 4 page letter to a
friend in New Jersey from Thomas Gibb regarding his travels and
business endeavors and he relates in detail the fate of his nephew. He
relates about his business ventures, he mentions that his
brother's youngest son is a prisoner in Richmond now, he was taken
with a squad of 27 who were on the advance of duty with Meade on the
Rapidan. They were not given notice when the army retreated. The whole
squad were left and taken by the Rebels. They have a letter from him
and He is well and in good spirits. The same boy fought through the
Gettysburg battle. His regiment went into the fight with 600 men and
came out with 200. He not gets a scratch. He had the lock shot off his
gun in his hand at the barrel, but no harm came to him. Butternuts
have been enlisting strongly. A great many have reenlisted. The 47th
have gone into Illinois to quell a butternut rising where. Where they
will kill and confiscate the whole of them...The Charleston Riot
occurred on March 28, 1864, in Charleston, Illinois, after Union
soldiers and local Republicans clashed with local insurgents known as
Copperheads. By the time the riot had subsided, nine were dead and
twelve had been wounded. The terms Copperhead and Butternuts
were used to describe the larger movement, which has been known as
Peace Democrats. This political affiliation which stirred up support,
as David Montgomery points out in Beyond Equality: Labor and the
Radical Republicans, by incorporating the fears that the federal
government's war effort sought to usurp the constitution. The
copperheads incorporated a racial component to their disdain for the
Northern war effort, as Montgomery points out, that emancipated
Negroes would flood the North, because of the Emancipation
Proclamation. Using racially charged rhetoric, Copperheads sought to
unite opposition to the Radical Republicans. This had become a
national phenomenon during the American Civil War. Southern
sympathizers were battling to keep their country from becoming, in
their eyes, too radical. A quite interesting war period letter with
a stamped cover..................................................$165.00 8081
- "HERE IS A PIECE OF A UNION FLAG THAT WAS CAPTURED BY THE
REBELS AND WE RECAPTURED IT AT THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK" - 138TH
PA. VOLUNTEERS, Camp of the 138th PV, March 20th, 1865, two
well written pages in ink by S. V. D. Wack, Co. C, 138th PA Vol to his
sister. He relates in part...I received the paper and
handkerchief this morning but will return the latter as it is too nice
out here in this Godforsaken country, ENCLOSED PLEASE FIND A PIECE OF
A FLAG CAPTURED FROM SOME UNION REGIMENT BY THE REBELS AND RECAPTURED
BY THE 138TH AT THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK. Keep it for me...Tell
Lizzie I have her blue bow yet and I means to carry it with me as long
as I am in the service. Two of Sherman's scouts came into the lines of
the 5th Corps last evening but where he is I do not know. They were
seven days coming so he must be a long way off yet...mentions he gets
a great many letters from ladies in PA and Jersey, S. V. D. Wack, 2nd
Brigade 138th PA Vol., 2nd Brigade, 3rd Div. 6 Corps. Via Washington,
DC. Srmattas V. D. Wack was a Corporal and enlisted August 26th,
1862. He was wounded at Cold Harbor and at Cedar Creek and finally
mustered out with Company June 23rd, 1865. The 138th PA was at
Winchester, September 19, Fisher's Hill, September 22. Battle of Cedar
Creek October 19. Duty at Kernstown until December. Moved to
Washington, DC, thence to Petersburg, VA, December. Siege of
Petersburg December, 1864, to April, 1865. Fort Fisher, Petersburg,
March 25, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28 - April 9. Assault on and
fall of Petersburg April 2. Sailor's Creek April 6. Appomattox Court
House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. March to Danville April
23 - 27, and duty there until May 23. This letter was written from
the Petersburg area on March 20th, ATTRACTIVELY FRAMED WITH DOUBLE
GLASS TO SHOW BOTH SIDES OF THE LETTER, FLAG REMNANT MEASURES 1"
X 4". 8.5" X 14" framed..........................................$695.00
71147
- 1ST RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY, CAPTAIN CHARLES H. THAYER, Carte
de Viste of Captain Charles H. Thayer, Company C, 1st Rhode Island
Cavalry by Addis of Washington signed in ink on the front as Lt.
accompanying the Carte de Viste are three war dated letters in
ink written by Thayer [a] Camp Sprague, Washington DC, June 21st, 1861
to his sister, three + pages in ink, 8" X 10", details his
travels to Washington, did not go to Harpers Ferry as it was reported
evacuated, had warm receptions, escorted with fife and drum, describes
visiting the White House, Capital, Navy Yard, War department, etc.
Other regiments have left the city for Virginia. They say Beauregard
is advancing towards Washington, if he does he will have a great many
soldiers to greet him, wants two gold dollars sent to him. C. H.
Thayer, Company D, 1st Rhode Island Militia, [b] Camp of the Rhode
Island Cavalry, Potomac Creek, VA, December 29th, 1862, 1 1/2 large
pages in ink to his Mother with stamped cover addressed to her, he
relates in part...part of the company is out on picket but I did not
have to go as another Lt. from Company B, went in my place. I have
just received orders to get the men ready with three days rations, I
report to the Lt. Colonel of our regiment tomorrow morning at 7
o'clock. He is to have 500 men under his command, and others from
another regiment for a "raid". I think our Colonel has
another 500 men who will go in another direction. He describes in
detail making a fireplace in his tent, digging down, placing flat
stones, and making a chimney outside, C. H. Thayer, 1st RI Cavalry,
[c] camp 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, Middletown, VA, October 29th, 1864,
4 pages in ink to his friend Rhodes. Who is another soldier, describes
what he has been up to as a cavalryman, has been an Inspector General
on Colonel Gibbs' Staff, an escort for General Torbert during battle
acting ADC on his Staff. General Torbert went to Washington with an
escort of 40 men as far as Martinsburg. Mentions a letter he received
from a POW in a Charleston Hospital brought by an exchanged prisoner,
discusses the trouble Rhodes was having in getting his resignation
approved due to political actions by a senior officer who was making
it difficult for him, mentions that the 1st NH [Cavalry] is a hell of
a regiment but only has 75 men fit for duty, he is trying to get out
of the service as many of his officers [he names] are devilish! Thayer
was missing at Kelly's Ford and wounded there as well, promoted to
Captain January 18th, 1863. Most of the regiment's service in 1862
[1st Rhode Island Cavalry] was in northern Virginia, where it served
as scouts to determine enemy movements, as well as foraging for
supplies and screening infantry movements. The troopers saw action
contesting Stonewall Jackson's cavalry in the Valley Campaign. They
fought in the Second Bull Run Campaign, as well as many other battles
of note, including service in the cavalry actions surrounding the
Battle of Fredericksburg. In 1863, they participated in the
Chancellorsville Campaign, and played an important role in the opening
battle of the Gettysburg Campaign at Brandy Station. Shortly
thereafter, isolated and alone deep in Confederate territory on a
scouting mission, they lost nearly 240 of their 280 remaining men at
the June 17 skirmish at Middleburg. The regiment was refitted with new
recruits and performed scouting and outpost duty along the upper
Potomac River until September, when they rejoined the Army of the
Potomac, participating in the Bristoe Campaign and Mine Run Campaign.
The following year, the 1st Rhode Island served in the defenses of
Washington DC before eventually returning to the Shenandoah Valley
under the command of Philip H. Sheridan. Due to heavy battle losses,
the regiment was consolidated to a battalion of four companies on
January 1, 1865. They continued serving in the valley for much of the
rest of the war before being mustered out at Baltimore, Maryland on
August 3, 1865. 3 nice ink letters, one cover and pen ided CDV of
Thayer at Lt. taken at Washington. A very scarce
regiment............................................................................$385.00
SOLD 71148
- 2ND RHODE ISLAND INFANTRY, THREE LETTERS IN ONE, THE MARCH TOWARDS
DOWNSVILLE, MD AFTER ANTIETAM, THE US HUSSIARS CAVALRY TAKEN TO BE
CONFEDERATES BY THE 23RD PA, A LITTLE GIRL WITH A FLAG AND A PAIL OF
WATER IN MARYLAND GREETING THE SOLDIERS' ARRIVAL, September
24th, 1862, Downsville, MD, 4 large pages that include three letters
to three different family members, from Henry T. Blanchard, Co. K, 2nd
Rhode Island Infantry [Sergeant October 5th, 1862]. The letters
are in ink with an PS paragraph in pencil. He relates in part...[a]
to his Father and Mother...we have marched hard to reach this town and
hope we can settle in camp, the artillery horses in this division are
poor as crows and it is as much as they can do to draw the guns and
caissons. We need new clothing and hope to draw it soon as we are as
ragged a lot soldiers you ever saw. Describes Downsville with having
several stores, blacksmith, and a post office, [b] letter to his
brother he relates in part....they have had two days rest and feel
quite refreshed, since leaving Chain Bridge we have been continually
on the march, the 23rd and the 36th NY are here guarding Edwards
Ferry, the 23rd got in a skirmish with the Rebels and the Colonel and
several men were wounded, Downsville was foot of Sugar Leaf Mountain,
march several miles and crossed Monocracy Creek and halted just the
other side of the mountain. I have seen a number of the PA Militia, a
stout and robust lot wearing a variety of clothing and some riding
splendid horses. Mentions that the US Chasseurs while on picket
challenged some riders who were PA Militia but the riders did not
understand the language and took to flight, some of our men who were
outside our lines said that they saw some of the PA Militia running
for their life. They took the Chasseurs for Rebels, [c] to his sister
he relates in part...When we came through Berkettsville, MD, we saw a
pretty little girl standing by her door with a small flag and a pail
of water - she was handing it out to tired and thirsty soldiers.
The day before there was a terrible battle in the village and the
residents had to keep in their cellars to avoid the shell and cannon
balls. Henry L. B [Blanchard]. An excellent letter by Blanchard
who was to die at the Wilderness on May 6th, 1864, on his regiments'
movements coming into Maryland from the west. Excellent content from a
scarce Regiment..........................................$155.00
71101
- BUCKTAILS SHOOT REBELS, ABRAHAM BLAIR, 30TH PENNSYLVANIA
INFANTRY, Headquarters, Virginia Regt., 1st Camp Pierpoint,
Company B, to his friend Lew. He relates in part on attractive
Patriotic stationary of the US Capital...I am at present on the
sacred soil of Virginia..."The Capital is Safe", we had it
pretty easy at Camp Wayne, we are encamped in a fine place. It is
beautiful country even though invaded by an army. Last Friday we left
this camp on a reconnoitering party up the country about 15 miles
taking our knap sacks and driving the sneaky Rebels on before us like
dogs. We marched on till about 6 o'clock and turned into a field where
we cooked our supper and then we fell back about two miles and then
camped for the night and slept on the soft ground as we had not taken
our tents along. Colonel Kane's regiment [the Bucktails] went out
scouting on Sunday and shot 4 or 5 Rebels and they were coming in the
evening and Company E of our regiment was out on picket and a few
shots were exchanged between them by mistake but luckily no one was
hurt. That caused an alarm in our camp and our company was sent out on
picket at 8 o'clock. I tell you the next time I go
"peddling" for Uncle Sam I will go on horseback [Cavalry]. I
don't believe in carrying a heavy pack for a long march. We have to go
on dress parade now with knapsacks. We may move soon and you will hear
of a battle soon and if you hear of the 1st Brigade being in it, you
may know that the "Union Guard" was in it and take my word
for it we will be the last to run...Abraham Blair. Although
Bair does not date this well written letter, the 30th PA was at Camp
Pierpoint from October 1861 - March 1862. He enlisted in July 1861 and
saw action at Mechanicsville. Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, 2nd Bulls Run
and Antietam. He was discharged due to disability in October
1862.............................................................$195.00
SOLD
7TH RHODE ISLAND INFANTRY HERBERT
DANIELS CORRESPONDENCE Hebert
Daniel enlisted as a Private in the 7th Rhode Island Infantry in 1862
and served throughout the war until his discharge in June 1865. His
correspondence is directed to Mrs. Salina Waterson who apparently was
a widow with two young daughters. Either the husband died of natural
causes or she was the widow of John Waterson of the 18th NY who died
in July 1861 at Fairfax Courthouse [the only KIA possibility]. Her
husband is never mentioned in any letters by Herbert from 1862-65.
While Herbert did not write "blood and guts" letters, his
letters are filled with sexual connotations which are rare in Civil
War correspondence. Either the soldier was too prudish to write such
passages, or if he did, the woman on the receiving end destroyed the
correspondence for fear of embarrassment at a later date by the
letters being read by others. A photograph of Herbert is shown to the
right from the regimental history of the 7th Rhode Island Infantry.
The letters begin with enlistment camp, his travels in Kentucky,
Maryland, and finally in Virginia. In nearly every letter, he
expresses his desires for Salina to be with him in his or her bedroom.
51901
- THE 7TH RHODE ISLAND GAINING RECRUITS, TWO SMALL DRUMMER BOYS AMONG
THE NEW ADDITIONS TO THE REGIMENT, DESCRIBES OUTFITTING THE TROOPS,
MEDIAL EXAMINATIONS, Providence, RI, June 1st, 1862, 8 bold
pages. A nice lavender stamped cover is included, by Pvt. Herbert
Daniels, 7th Rhode Island to his sweetheart Salina. He relates in
part, there is confusion in camp, 5 recruits were brought in, no
doctor to examine them, no officer to swear them in, including two
little drummer boys there are seven new recruits, we later found
the young soldiers at the wharf at Fox Point, he gives details how the
new soldiers were finally processed and clothed - they got blankets,
overcoats, underclothing - they strapped on their knapsacks and
marched into camp - he looked after the two young drummer boys
who had not yet been sworn in. They say they are used to the routine
as they served 9 months in the 29th Mass. and were in the Balls Bluff
fight. An excellent early letter about the filling of ranks with
new recruits for the 7th RI Infantry by Daniels...............................................$95.00 51902
- DESCRIBES UNION SOLDIERS SACKING FREDERICKSBURG, February
22nd, 1863. 8 pages in ink with a postal cover OLD POINT CONFORT,
VA, CDS, DUE 3 in manuscript by Pvt. Herbert Daniels to his
lover Salina. Daniels was in the 7th RI Infantry. He relates in
part...he describes the cold weather and on picket duty,
terrible weather with rain and snow, a terrible wind storm his camp,
makes a mentions of the soldiers trying to haul items out of
Fredericksburg, some got as far as the bridge with items, they tried
to take the whole city, some got sofas and carpets for their tents,
there was houses demolished for their bricks for fireplaces in
camp...I went there I could not even find nails, others were digging
up the foundations for chimneys, loaded with many more details.
After the battle of Fredericksburg the weather turned horrible in the
following two months with thousands of Union troops camped in the
vicinity many obviously took advantage of the town's proximity to
acquire materials for making their miserable camp life more bearable,
a great commentary on the sack of Fredericksburg in January -
February 1863................................$125.00 51903
- HAS A GAY LIFE IN CAMP, THEIR NEW HOUSE IS COMPLETED, THE DRUMMER
WHO TENTS WITH US BROUGHT A VIOLIN, LIFE IN CAMP IN KENTUCKY,
April 5th, 1863. 3 plus large pages in ink with a stamped postal cover
addressed to his sweetheart Salina by Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th Rhode
Island Infantry. He relates in part...They went to get some
boards and three of them built a small house to live in while they are
guarding the city, they used straw and rubber blankets on the floor
and it is the best house in camp...we just had a Sunday inspection by
the Colonel and the major, he mentions peddlers bringing into camp
everything they could want...goose eggs are 5 cents each...the DRUMMER
who tents with us brought in a violin, mentions that the 36th Regiment
moved into camp last night. A well written letter by Daniels
giving many more details of their makeshift camp in Kentucky..........................................$75.00 51904
- HOOKER HAS BEEN FIGHTING THEM FOR A WEEK, Near Richmond, KY,
April 22, 1863. 3 page letter in ink from Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th
Rhode Island Vol., to Salina. He relates in part...He describes
their new camp near a peaceful cemetery, they are 26 miles from
Lexington, news that Hooker has been fighting them for a week and at
last succeeded in driving them from the heights of
Fredericksburg...his Captain went and got his letters as the mail is
backed up, the brigade and the ambulances arrived yesterday from
Newport News. "If you came here you should be afraid if being
kissed to death, many officers have been without a tent for a week, it
is a great undertaking to move an entire army." Daniels had
arrived first with the commanding officers as he was the regimental
clerk, the remainder of his regiment was in transit to Kentucky, comes
with a nice stamped cover cancelled RICHMOND, KY.........................................$75.00 51905
- A LOVE SICK SOLDIER GET A BOX FROM HOME, Wednesday, August
11th, 1863. Three pages in ink from Lexington, KY by Pvt. Herbert
Daniels, 7th Rhode Island Vol., to his sweetheart Salina...mentions
that the "box" came that morning and he is still going over
his treasures, Lt. Bates has been re-appointed, he has not been home
or taken off his shoulder straps, mentions taking photos, tins in
particular, an officer friend has a splendid photo album, he goes over
the contents of the box, ate some of the food at the top, compliments
her about a fine vest she has sent. Wishes you were here to put your
arm around my neck and give me a sweet kiss, I mean a thousand...good
night with a kiss. The letter is accompanied by a stamped envelope
postmarked Lexington, KY. Well written.............................................$75.00
51906 - IF YOU COME HERE WE
CAN HAVE BREAKFAST IN BED AND HAVE A LITTLE "NIG" BRING IT
TO US, October 15th,
1863. 4 page letter in ink with a stamped cover postmarked Lexington,
KY by Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th Rhode Island Volunteers to his
sweetheart Salina. He relates in part...An officer saw Salina's
photo and asked who she was and Daniels replied that it was his aunt
to continue to hide his relationship "I was very glad to get your
picture but I must say I like the original", he describes in
detail his clothing needs..."If you are here I will get you
breakfast in bed or we can have a little "Nig" bring it to
us, bought milk in town in a tin pail and it was sour by the time he
got back to camp. Much camp news, well
written.........................................$75.00 51907
- WE MAY LEAVE FOR TENNESSEE, October 18th, 1863. 6 pages in
ink with a postal cover stamped and cancelled LEXINGTON, KY
by Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th Rhode Island Infantry to his sweetheart
Salina. He describes his camp in detail, lots of camp news, mentions
her recent visit to Crab Apple, they are hearing reports that they may
go to Tennessee. A very newsy letter with a nice stamped cover from
Kentucky. Well written by
Daniels.............................................$59.00 51908
- THE REGIMENT IS TOO WEAK TO GO TO KNOXVILLE, MANY ILL, THE OFFICERS
ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO REVERSE THE ORDER TO LEAVE, October
22nd, 1863. 3 pages 8" X 10" on imprinted stationary OFFICE
OF MILITARY COMMANDANT, LEXINGTON, KY by Pvt. Herbert Daniels,
7th Rhode Island Vol. He relates in part...he is now in the
office of the Post Commandant in Lexington, they have a fear that the
regiment will be sent to Knoxville but the regiment has 15% on the
sick list and many others could not make an ordinary march. The
officers are trying everything they can to get the order
revoked...describes the situation where his friend "P" was
under arrest for a month last May involving a young lady from the
Female Seminary near Crab Orchard, he said it was the result of a
Secsh trying to cause trouble, however the Colonel endorsed his
statement and he was cleared of charges. The letter is accompanied
by a nice stamped postal cover postmarked Lexington, KY...........................................$95.00 51909
- COLONEL GRIFFIN HAS INFORMED GENERAL BURNSIDE THE REGIMENT SHOULD
NOT BE MOVED, October 23rd, 1864, 8" X 10"
stationary OFFICE OF MILITARY COMMANDANT, LEXINGTON, KY.
3 large pages by Pvt. Herbert Daniels to Salina. He relates in part...He
has received the Boston papers and Harpers Weekly...Captain Joyce has
had a conversation with Colonel Griffin acting Brig. General and the
Colonel has telegraphed General Burnside that it would be of no use to
move us now and he is awaiting the General's reply. The officers say
we could not move more than 25 men to Knoxville. Makes a naughty note
"Where shall I hide my head when I get home." Letter
comes with a nice stamped postal cover postmarked Lexington, KY. Well
written by Daniels.............$85.00 51910
- HE WILL PUT THIS LETTER IN A VERY SMALL ENVELOPE SO YOU CAN PUT IT
YOU KNOW WHERE - WHEN I WISH I WAS AT THIS MOMENT, Lexington,
KY, November 1st, 1863. 8 pages in ink by Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th
Rhode Island Infantry to his sweetheart Salina. He relates in part...It
is Sunday at 9 AM the bells are ringing like home except for the fort
guards with three or four little drums and fifes and a base drum which
is in harmony with the bells...the guards from the 7th will be here
soon with three or four drums and fifes. They come to the headquarters
to be inspected every morning...the pills care safely the other day. I
would like to be with you in your sitting room...two officers were
placed under arrest by the General...Peckman [an officer] found out
who made charges against him and if he gets to Lexington he will make
him recant or horsewhip him...they entered 'forbidden territory' I
SHALL PUT THIS LETTER IN A SMALL ENVELOPE SO YOU CAN PUT IT YOU KNOW
THERE...I WISH I WAS THERE AT PRESENT - DON'T YOU. A very detailed
letter and Daniels concludes the letter with a sexual overtone as he
probably means that she would put the letter in her bosom where he
would like to be. Well written........................................$125.00 51911
- NEWS ARRIVES BY TELEGRAPH THAT FORT SUMTER IS TAKEN, WHEN HE RETURNS
HOME HE WANTS HER ALONE, 4 pages in ink, November 8th, 1863
[Lexington, KY stamped cover included] by Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th
Rhode Island Vol., near Lexington, KY probably Fort Nelson, to
Salina...He has just received the papers the Boston Journal and
the Providence Press, mentions that his friend "P" sits on a
Court Martial Coroner's Jury, notes that it is Sunday and people are
going to meetings as couples as he wishes he could, when he returns
home it may be late at night and he wants her alone, there will be no
problem unless you take S.W. in my place [another suitor], did you
hear that Fort Sumter is taken as the telegraph operator just brought
the news, time to retire to my lonely couch. 2 items, letter
and stamped cover. Well written...................................$75.00
51913
- THE DRESS PARADE IS GOING ON, WIVES OF OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE, HE
WISHES ONE MORE LADY COULD BE THERE, November 22nd, 1863. 4
page letter in ink to Salina from Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th Rhode
Island Vol., with stamped cover postmarked Lexington, KY. He relates
in part...the Dress Parade is going on with the band playing,
the wives of the officers are in attendance, he wishes she was there
but he would rather have her in bed at his elbow, mentions something
that the Deacon had done Nancy back home, mentions the bombardment of
Fort Sumter and that it is being bombarded night and day. Good
content, 2 items...........................................$75.00
51914
- REBELS BURN THE MOUNT STERLING, KY COURTHOUSE, THEY ARE REPORTED TO
COME OUR WAY, December 13th, 1863. 4+ pages in ink [letter has
several pages cross written in lighter ink to allow for easy reading],
from camp near Lexington, KY, Sunday afternoon from Pvt. Herbert
Daniels, 7th Rhode Island Vol. to Salina. He recounts the last
battle they were in five months previous near Jackson, MS, had a
dinner of turkey and cranberries, a week before last a band of
guerillas entered Mount Sterling and burned down the courthouse and
for several days it was reported they were coming this way and we had
numbers of the force from 35 to 14,000 and we had orders to be ready
for them at any moment day or night...we sent our pickets every night
for fear of them burning the town and leaving again, at Mount Sterling
there was a regiment of infantry and 600 cavalry within a mile of the
town but the Rebs escaped. We need recruits in our regiment...IF YOU
WERE HERE I FEAR THAT WE WOULD NOT SLEEP MUCH AND HAVE ALL THE KISSES
WE WANTED. A good commentary on the raid on Mount Sterling in
November of 1863 by Daniels and a closing devoted to his sweetheart
and his wishes for a joyful meeting with her, comes with a stamped
postal cover...............................................$175.00
51915
- HE WISHES HIS HEAD WAS PILLOWED IN HER BOSOM, December 17th,
1863. Four pages in ink with a nice stamped postal cover postmarked
Lexington, KY by Pvt. Herbert Daniels to his lover Salina [7th Rhode
Island Vol.]. Herbert dreams of them being together sitting by
the fire with LOVE and blankets keeping them warm, he wishes his head
was pillowed in her bosom, he refers to a past letter of hers that he
wishes they could enjoy all that she mentions...it is ten o'clock and
he is ready to go to bed with her, more details of his dream of
meeting again with Salina. Well written, letter and
cover.........................$85.00
51916
- WE ARE AT THE FORKS OF THE CUMBERLAND RIVER IN KENTUCKY, BAD ROADS,
TERRIBLE COLD, MY INK FROZE ON MY PEN, January 6th, 1864. Two
large pages in bold pencil [his ink froze], datelined Port Isabel, KY
from Herbert Daniels, 7th Rhode Island Vol. He relates in part...we
have been moving all the time, we have seen no mail since we left Camp
Nelson, the mail was supposed to go to Somerset, stopped at a house
and had dinner and sat by a huge fireplace that almost burned me with
the heat. It is so cold that my ink froze on my pen [thus he wrote in
pencil], it is the coldest it has been in 16 years. This must be a
beautiful place in the summer, we are at the fork of the Cumberland
River where there is only a camp and no town, the roads are so bad we
had to slide an ambulance down a hill removing the horses, will write
again Thursday...Herbert. Comes with a stamped cover SOMERSET,
KY cancellation, well written.....................................$85.00
51917
- ICE FLOWS MAKE US REMOVE THE PONTOON BRIDGE EACH DAY, TERRIBLE
ROADS, GENERAL GARRARD WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL ONLY 5 MILES IN 4 DAYS,
January 10th, 1864, Port Isabel, KY. Office of the Commandant, Sunday,
3 page letter in ink by Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th Rhode Island Vol.,
comes with a stamped postal cover SOMERSET, KY, cancellation. He
relates in part to Salina...We still have not received mail, the
Colonel telegraphed Lexington to see why, at Somerset the roads are so
bad no mail arrived, there is a telegraph in this office and Colonel
Bliss took command and wanted me. There is a large sawmill here where
they are sawing wood night and day for the government in order to
build store houses. They are also building a house for the Colonel and
his wife who will arrive with other officers of the regiment...General
Garrard started here four days ago and expected to go to Knoxville, 80
miles in 5 days, he made 5 miles in 4 days due to the roads. We are
south of the river that has a very swift current, the ice flowing
causes us to take up the pontoon bridges each day. I send 50 men out
to take it up and down. They are getting ready to build a supply depot
here to supply East Tennessee, 10,000 rations arrived yesterday, 5,000
more are within 3 miles of here. Boats are trying to get up the river
from Nashville with supplies. An excellent newsy letter, cover and
letter............................$110.00
51918
- GENERAL FOSTER HAS MOVED TO LEXINGTON, I WISH I COULD SLEEP BETWEEN
YOUR "WARM STONES", Somerset, KY. 2 large pages in
ink, January 15th, 1864 from Pvt. Herbert Daniels, 7th Rhode Island
Infantry to his sweetheart Salina. He relates in part...General
Foster has moved his headquarters to Lexington, our regiment can't
re-enlist this Spring as we must wait until we serve two years....the
Colonel's wife is arriving and they will set up housekeeping in the
woods...I WISH I COULD SLEEP BETWEEN YOUR WARM STONES AND I WISH I WAS
THERE TODAY...WISHES THEY HAD A TELEGRAPH OR SPEAKING TUBE BETWEEN
THEM - IF I WAS THERE WE WOULD BE IN BED TIL NOON. Daniels lets
Salina know in no uncertain terms that he would like to be lying in
her bosom and in bed until noon, quite explicit sexual statements.............$135.00
|