Civil War
Letters-Documents-Newspapers-Union
Early Daily Citizen Reprint
Item #: NEW-0016817

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Single sheet paper printed on wallpaper. I believe this to be an early facsimile issue of the famous paper produced by the Union army when Vicksburg was seized. Countless issues were made of the paper, many of which were distributed at GAR reunions. I believe this to be old because of the acidic bleed through visible on the front from the pattern of the wall paper. This has been encapsulated. There are some tiny edge tears as well as a larger edge tear near the top. . These reprint issues have been climbing in value, some as high as $500.  Most of the reprints were made in the 1870's and 80's.

I am listing this with a new computer which is having trouble accepting images from my iphone and camera, hence the abbreviated photo from my scanner which is not quite large enough.

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17th Ohio Inf Letter-Blood Soaked Item-Gen Zollicoffer
Item #: NEW-0016087

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This is a soldier letter from the 17th Ohio Infantry.  The soldier was James T Parsons who enlisted as a private on 9/23/1861 as a private.  He was discharged for disability on 9/28/1862.  

The letter is a legal sized blue rag paper which continues on the back.  Folds, pinholes at the folds, but quite legible. My scanner cut off a small portion of the letter. 

Letter is headed Somerset Pulaski County, Kentucky, January 30th the 30th, 1862. 

Dear Parents,

I am well this morning notwithstanding it rained on me all last night.  We expected to leave here last week but have been waiting for new clothes & tents  they arrived last night our old tents were low inconvenient things and got to leaking   a man could not stand straight in them.  The new ones are good ones  We have the prisoners here yet and three Secesh Surgeons  they tend on their own wounded but we keep a guard at the hospital door  They are amputating yet  I seen them throwing arms and legs into the yard the other day  I am still well satisfied and contented  The saying that privates were mistreated by officers is a base falsehood  They treat us as equals  I have never seen an officer abuse a private yet and I have visited several regiments besides my own General Schoeff   He never passes any of us without speaking and giving his best bow while Major St Coland ? often pitch ? with the boys  It is now supposed that we will leave here next saturday and go 6 miles to a camp on the banks of the Cumberland River  The news now is that the rebels have evacuated the Cumberland Gap.  The payday should have been the 1st of this month but has not come yet.  I don’t see as I can do much for my payments in the spring  I don't know what I will do about it.  But I would rather sacrifice all than not serve my country.  (some family news which I've omitted)

I WILL SEND THE INCLOSED PIECE OF GENERAL ZOLLICOFFER'S BUCKSKIN GLOVE  THERE IS NO HUMBUG ABOUT THIS  I TOOK IT OFF HIS HAND MYSELF  IT IS STAINED WITH THE OLD REBELS BLOOD SO YOU MAY SEE SECESH BLOOD. THEY EMBALMED HIM  ONE OF THE REBEL SURGEONS IS RELEASED ON PAROLE TO TAKE THE COLD CORPSE HOME.  

Closes with some personal comments  then From your son James T Parsons  Israel & Hannah Parsons

Note at bottom:  Please hand this to father ? oblige J T Parsons

Included in the listing is a snippet of the glove that is smeared with blood.  The scan is larger than the item which is an inch and a half long.

See the following link which describes the death of General Felix Zollicoffer

http://www.millsprings.net/index.php/2013-10-01-18-24-22/death-of-gen-felix-k-zollicoffer

Here is a portion of this site.  The second paragraph relates the looting of his body that took place.

http://www.millsprings.net/index.php/2013-10-01-18-24-22/death-of-gen-felix-k-zollicoffer

Few aspects of the battle of Mill Springs are as surrounded by controversy as the death of Gen. Felix Kirk Zollicoffer, CSA.   Ignoring the embellishments and the whys-and-wherefores, what seems clear is that Zollicoffer mistook Union troops for his own units (quite understandable in the confusion of that dark misty morning), and he approached the Union lines by mistake. He wished to order them to cease firing on their own men, since he thought they were all Confederates. Whatever the cause, it is evident that Zollicoffer did not recognize the Union officer to whom he spoke as an enemy; neither did this officer recognize Zollicoffer as a Confederate. Or possibly, Zollicoffer did recognize the enemy and realized his mistake, and attempted to bluff his way out. Only as they parted, and one of Zollicoffer’s staff rode out of the woods to warn his commander (meanwhile firing at the Federals), did both parties realize the truth. In the ensuing exchange of fire, Zollicoffer was shot dead from his horse.

Controversy also surrounds the treatment of Zollicoffer’s body after his death. He fell in or near the Mill Springs Road, between the lines (but closer to the Federals). At some point his body was moved out of the road, to the vicinity of an oak tree nearby. After the Confederate retreat the body was recognized by Federal soldiers, and numerous period accounts attest that they immediately took souvenirs from the body: pieces of clothing, buttons, even locks of hair. This treatment was vehemently denied by some Northern newspaper accounts, but there can be no doubt that it happened. However, as soon as Federal officers arrived on the scene, the body was protected, and was later cleaned, embalmed, and treated with honor. Zollicoffer’s corpse was eventually allowed to pass through the lines for burial in Nashville. James T. Parsons

Note:  I have been unable to resolve the spelling of the two officers mentioned in this letter.

Residence was not listed; 26 years old.

Enlisted on 9/23/1861 as a Private.

On 9/23/1861 he mustered into "H" Co. OH 17th Infantry 
He was discharged for disability on 9/28/1862


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

 - Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com
  

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24th Mass-William Hunt Goff-Deserter Hung
Item #: NEW-0015913

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The letter was written by Sgt William Hunt Goff 24th Massachusetts company H while he was at Deep Bottom Virginia. He was promoted to Corporal on the 3rd Sept 1864. William became the rank of Full Sergt. on the 1st March 1865. Letter comes with the  research of his war time activity and a cop of a  newspaper article and a photo of him. This is 2 in a series of letters by him, the other offered on my site separately. 
The letter is difficult to read and this is the best I could do.

Deep Bottom, Virginia

August 7th 1864 

Dear Sister 

It is Sunday afternoon and I have not to do at present so I will write you a short letter an answer for the one that I received from you the other morning there has been nothing new since I wrote my last nothing but the same thing over and over again we have not lost any men as we had been here what you saw in the papers was what happened ?  the four mile run tomorrow we have yet to witness or learn that have not before since we have been out and that is to see a man shot for deserting over to the Rebels. His name is Mackel Heney and he belongs to Company F of our regiment when we was in Newbern he was court-martialed and put in the new Bern jail from which he made his escape and went into the rebel lines and their joined one of their regiments and has fought us we since he said that he thought that we was in S.C. when he came in he wanted to know if there was any Mass regiment he they told him that there was the 26th just then one of the drummer boys of Company F came up and he knew him right away and called him by name he was tacking then down to the Gen Quarters and from there they took him down to Fortress Monroe where he had his try it and was sentenced to be shot tomorrow at 10 o’clock in presence of the troops.

We have get a Sulter now in our regiment this morning there was an order sent calling for 600  Men to vol from our Corps to work for 20 days digging earth in some place probably to mine some of the rebel workers in front of Grants unit the same members from the 18th Corps there is 10 going from Co D but I am not one of them they leave day after tomorrow and that they are to work seven hours and a half a day in our to get light tends an hour there were so you may hear before a great while of war rebel workers going up in the air I did not know when fast day was until yesterday so that I could not see it very well but I will wait until next year and then would do just as well I am looking forward to have a nothing good to eat when my back comes along was glad to hear that father cut so much hay this year that they say that it is better this year than usual I am well and in good health and so are all of the Attlebore boy I will write again soon so until then goodbye give my best regards to all the pretty girls so with love I remain yours truly.  Signed in light ink Wm ? Goff 

William H Goff



Residence Attleboro MA; an 18 year-old Farmer.

Enlisted on 10/21/1861 as a Private.

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On 10/23/1861 he mustered into "H" Co. MA 24th Infantry 
He Re-enlisted on 1/4/1864
He was Mustered Out on 1/20/1866 at Richmond, VA


Promotions:
* Corpl 9/3/1864 
* Sergt 3/1/1865 


Other Information:
born in Rehobeth, MA
Member of GAR Post # 145 (William A. Streeter) in Attleborough, MA
Held GAR Offices:
* Post Commander # 145
died 4/2/1916

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

 - Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War
 - Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Commandery of MOLLUS
 - GAR Dept of Massachusetts 1866-1947 (Sargent)
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com



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30th Maryland Colored Soldier Discharge-Bounty Forms
Item #: NEW-0015323

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This lot consists of four items relating to Fletcher Houston, a free black man who enlisted in the Civil War in the State of Maryland.  The first form is one I have never seen before, which is essentially vouching that he was a free man, born of free parents at the time of his enlistment.  Two white citizens by the name of John Cameron and Alfred Kirk are attesting that they have known Fletcher Houston, "a colored soldier, enlisted in Company C 30th regiment UP S Colored Troops” Evidently this form was necessary for him to receive his end of the war bounty.

The second form which is attached to the first form is from the City Register’s Office in Baltimore, dated December 28th, 1865, indicating that Houston had received his cash bounty and monthly installments for fifty dollars. Note the hole in the bottom.

The third form is another form, attached to the others is dated January 5th, 1866 directing Thomas Timmons to pay Houston fifty dollars.  There is a revenue stamp and Fletcher Huston’s mark X.  I’m not sure I understand this form since it is after the receipt but perhaps it was for another payment.  

The last form is Fletcher Houston’s discharge form the State of Maryland.  This form is in poor condition with large tears.  I will repair these with archival tape if the buyer desires.  The discharge is longer than the scan.



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22 Ill Inf-Soldier Died of Wounds-Stones River
Item #: NEW-0014794

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This letter consists of two sides of legal sized paper.  It is legible other than his punctuation.  I have determined through research that the writer, William H Davis died as a result of wounds from the battle at Stones River.  There is also the cover written to his father and postmarked from Cairo.  I have concluded that the writer was with the 22nd Infantry  as there was a William H Davis under Col Henry Dougherty's command.  Davis explains in the letter why his Regiment did not accompany the others to the battle at Fort Henry, a few days away from the time the letter was written. 

                                                                                  Camp Lyons Feb 4th 1862

Dear Father,

Opening remarks...

He mentions a Leathers who has gone home and that he thinks he will have a better chance to get well. "We have just learned from General Halleck that the order in regard to furlongs did not apply to sick soldiers and that they can get a leave of absence or a surgeon’s certificate.”

"There has been a move up the Ohio River. Three Regiments have grouped here and one battery of artillery and several from Camp Holt and Cairo 14 steamboat loads in all.  they are going up the Ohio to the mouth of the Cumberland River and up that to the Tenn line to Fort Henry  they may have a fight up there  We were ordered to go but the order was countermanded on account of our tents being bad  General Grant says that he is not going to move us anymore until Col Dougherty is able to go with us which will not be for some time  he is getting along very well he is able to walk on crutches he has engaged a cork leg there was a man here the other day to measure him for one, the Col says he is going to stay with the Regiment as long as he has a leg or am.  He lost his leg trying to save the 7th Iowa regt.  He had got to the boat and the Iowans were behind  He knew that a great many of their officers were killed and unless they were rallied they would be killed or taken prisoners.  He made up his mind to save them or die in the attempt.  He was wounded in three places and his horse was shot.  There is nothing going on at the point.  We have got a few prisoners old Bird among the rest  the white Birds are under arrest but the black birds are at liberty  The weather is quite wintery for this place there is snow on the ground or rather ice  I was on guard at a bridge near Charleston from the night of the 28th to the night of the 30th it rained all of the first night and was so warm that we heard the frogs singing but it turned cold before morning and began to snow in the evening   We had no shelter from the storm and nothing to sleep on, it was pretty hard but it did not make me sick.  I wrote to Alfred and advised him to send his money home.  I think that Genl Grant is taking the right course and he is the man to put it through  I would like to be with him if I had a good horse.  Geo seems to be very much dissatisfied with his Captain and with the camp.  He talks of going into the Gunboat service but I would not advise him to do it.  I don’t think he will like it  It would suit me well because I am used to the water.  I am in hopes this war will be over before next winter so that we can all go home.  The Miss River is full of ice but none in the Ohio.  Closing remarks Wm H Davis. 

William H Davis
Stones River Battle








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3rd Wisconsin Inf Soldier-KIA-Describes Hanging
Item #: NEW-0014401

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This is a four page, mostly legible letter on note paper. He didn't like periods and I corrected just a few of his spelling.  It is headed Camp Brownlow, Fredrick, Md. and dated January 69th 1862.  The soldier is writing his sister.  He begins by saying that he has been too sick to eat and that many of the soldiers were also sick.  Here is some of the camp content. "Our Col has been appointed Provost Martial of the City and our Regiment provost guard   we have three companies out on guard each day.  General Banks whole division is camped within a few miles of town  We are the only regiment camped in town   they have built us barricks our post is 60 feet long and 24 wide  we have good ...? we are very comfortable situated but I cannot tell how soon we will have to leave   Our regiment is under marching orders at present  we got orders yesterday  having to have two days rations cooked and ready to march immediately  the whole division is on a ?  I do not think we will go for a few days but I think by the looks of things we will move into Virginia pretty soon  snow fall about three inches deep last night  the first we have had of any accumulation  I do not like the idea of marching yet we have plenty to do here guarding the prisoners  there was a soldier hung here on the Monday before Christmas for shooting his major of the 46th Pa Regt. a scene I never witnessed before nor never wish to again  he was hung 3 1/2 miles from town  our Reft was the guard and escort there was 3 regts on the ground   I can hardly get time to write this  I have to stop every five minutes to write passes for the boys  as they are not allowed to go to town without a pass signed by the Capt and Sgt."  The rest are closing remarks and the letter is signed by J W Hunter  

His record indicates that he attained the rank of Captain and that he died from wounds on 6/8/1864 of wounds he received at Chattanooga.


Third Wisconsin Infantry
James W. Hunter

Residence Monroe WI; 
Enlisted on 4/19/1861 as a Private.

On 4/19/1861 he mustered into "C" Co. WI 3rd Infantry 
He died of wounds on 6/8/1864 at Chattanooga, TN


He was listed as:
* Wounded 5/25/1864 Dallas, GA


Promotions:
* 1st Sergt 
* 2nd Lieut 5/4/1862 (As of Co. A)
* Capt 5/12/1863 (As of Co. F)


Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 5/4/1862 from company C to company A 
* 5/12/1863 from company A to company F 


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

 - Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers:  War of the Rebellion
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com

Camp Brownlow
Wisconsin 3rd Infantry
James W Hunter

 


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1864 Union General Order-Military Division of Mississippi
Item #: NEW-0014144

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Field press notice, General Order, No 2 dated February 2nd 1864 (corrected).  Announces the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel James H Stokes as Inspector of the Quartermaster's Department of the Military Division of the Mississippi. Other content.

Measures 8 by 5 inches

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133rd Ohio Inf-Letter-Cover-Fancy Cancel
Item #: NEW-0013637

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Four page letter dated July 7th 1864 from William O Guitner who was with the 133rd.  The letter was addressed to his brother whom he thought lived in Westerville Ohio which was forwarded.  Cancel from Greencastle Pa with a due 3 notation.  Fancy cancel which I have never seen before. Old Point Comfort Fort

Guitner describes movements and criticizes his Col.  Gustavus Innis.  Pencil handwriting and hard to read in places  I’ve done the best I could.

Fort Powhatan, Dear Brother

"We had been ordered to the White House but it was countermanded and went directly to Bermuda hundred from Washington; from thence to Point Rocks on the Appomattox river.  We had been ordered here thirty six hours before we came.  Had we have left Point of Rocks when ordered we would have gotten into "that brush”…”

"We are still staying at the fort. Day after tomorrow it will be three weeks we arrived here.  I suppose we will stay here until the first of August then break for Ohio.  The rebs are in possession of Martinsburg I hear.  If we were at New Creek now we would be rushed into the fight I suppose.  We surely ought to keep that railroad open…We cannot go home the way we came unless the rebs are? And the railroad are built…Col Innis is commander of the post here.  The old fellow gives us no confidence.  They almost down on him.  On the 4th we were to have a review at half past six in the morning.  After review was over he told Col Ewing to "put” em through a couple of battalion moves.  After the Lt Col gave a few commands, he took command and deployed columns as usual.  And kept us all in the dust and until after the time for guard? 8’oclock.  Most of the guards were out on reviews.  He has now ordered squad company and battalion drill every day…more.

OHIO 
ONE HUNDRED and THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY 
(Three Years) 

     One Hundred and Thirty-third Infantry. - Col., Gustavus S. Innis; Lieut.-Col., William Ewing; Maj., Joseph M. Clark.  This 
regiment was organized at Camp Chase, May 6, 1864, to serve for 100 days.  It was composed of two companies of the 58th Battalion
The regiment was immediately ordered to Parkersburg,  W. Va., where it arrived on May 8.  From this place it was ordered to New Creek
 thence to Washington, D. C., and on June 7 was ordered to Bermuda Hundred, where it arrived on June 12.  On June 16 the brigade to which
 it was assigned was ordered to destroy the Richmond & Petersburg railroad.  The regiment was assigned to the support of a battery, which 
opened a cannonade on the enemy and then with other troops, succeeded in holding the Confederates in check for 5 hours.  On July 17
 it embarked at Point of Rocks and proceeded to Fort Powhatan, where it was employed on work on the fortifications and in repairing
telegraph lines.  On Aug. 10 it proceeded to Washington, thence to Camp Chase, where it was mustered out on Aug. 20, 1864. 

William O. Guitner

Residence was not listed; 19 years old.

Enlisted on 5/2/1864 as a Corporal.

On 5/6/1864 he mustered into "C" Co. OH 133rd Infantry 
He was Mustered Out on 8/20/1864 at Camp Chase, OH


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

 - Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com


Old Point Comfort Fort
William O Guitner





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Gen David Hunter Letter Port Royal
Item #: NEW-0013122

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This is an eight page letter on two fold out letter sheets. The letter is legible and in good condition, except for a one and a half inch separation at the fold. I have shown the first and last page in the scans. 

The letter is dated April 15th (1862) and is written to his wife, Ri.  Major General David O Hunter served on the Union side. His history follows the transcription.  It is a very long letter so I have cut out some of the personal content. Almost all of the content deals with preparations for battle, life on the islands, and there is a hint of what would become a cause of Hunter’s, the abolition of slavery.  

"This day week we went for the second time to Tybee Island, expecting to open fire on Wednesday the 9th but finding things not quite ready I postponed it to the 10th.  We were gone five days and very uncomfortable days they were, for we had no accommodations on shore, and on the steamer, where I had a beautiful cabin, bath room, and really all the modern improvements, it was so rough that I could not keep from being sea sick.  A north east gale has been blowing for several days, and the sea has washed up within two feet of our house, and I find it underminding the little garden of geraniums, roses and cactuses...The fall of Pulaski is going to make quite a change in the notions of our old ? with regard to the value of our old forts.  Col. Totten wrote Gen Gillmore, or rather Gen Totten the Chief Engineer wrote him that to breach the wall from Tybee Island, out nearest battery being near a mile off, was simply impossible, and that the ammunition would be completely wasted.  Other great engineers expressed the same opionion.  Gen Robert E Lee of the Rebel Army, wrote Col. Olmstead, the Rebel Commander of the Fort that we might fill up the interior of the Fort with iron from our mortars, but that he might rest content we could never breach is walls.  I find the water here does not agree with me, as it is somewhat brackish, and also sulphury, but as long as I can get ice I shall of course avoid bad water.  I have too, plenty of congress water and plenty of good claret...  

This is a cheerful lively place.  All the Navy ships not immediately employed in the blockade are anchored here.  The Wabash, one of the largest and finest Steamers in the Navy is Commodore Du Pont’s flagship and drawing a great deal of water.  This is the only harbor she can enter on this coast-the result is she is here all the time.  I look out from my windows...on the pier, where vessels are always discharging, and on the harbor, where from twenty to thirty vessels (part steamers) are always riding at anchor...Commodore Du Pont and myself are getting on nicely-I invited him to send us a hundred men to assist in making our Batteries at Pulaski, and this pleased them very much.  On my return they had all their men up in the rigging, to cheer us as we passed.

I had a nice ride today and went to a plantation on the island of Hilton Head, (this island) about five miles off.  This, I suppose, is a pretty fair specimen of the places on this, and the neighboring Islands.  I found seventy Negroes on the place-the white family had run off the first arrival of the troops here, taking with them what they could pick up in a hurry.  They were probably entirely depending on this plantation for a support, and are now living on the charity of their friends...The Negroes are working on their old plantations, under charge of men sent by the Treasury Department from the North.  I feel the plan is not a good one, but I shall not find fault with it till I have had time to look full into its workings.

This Island is about fifteen miles long and has on it a number of plantations, all in about the situation I have described.  The roads are good, and the young men of my staff are all fond of riding, so I think for the sake of the exercise and seeing the country, I shall visit all the plantations.  We have plenty of our old Mexican enemy, the fleas.  A man brought a caterer two drum fish weight 40 or 50 pounds each.  Love.  Most affectionately, your D Hunter general in the Rebellion. (signed on the left edge).   

Here is a brief history on Hunter that is relevant to the period in which this letter was written. http://www.nps.gov/fopu/historyculture/david-hunter.htm

In March 1862  Hunter was transferred again to command the Department of the South.

Hunter arrived at Hilton Head, South Carolina, in March 1862. Preparations to retake Fort Pulaski in the Savannah River from Confederates were already underway. Hunter sent a flag of truce to the fort that was immediately ignored. Union troops opened fire on Fort Pulaski on April 10, 1862, and within 30 hours had forced the surrender of the massive fortress.

As the Commander of the Department of the South, Hunter made a pronouncement that caused controversy across the United States. Hunter, a strong advocate of arming blacks as soldiers for the Union cause, issued General order No. 11, emancipating the slaves in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.

General Order No. 11 - HDQRS Dept. of the South, Hilton Head, Port Royal, S.C.

"The three States of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, comprising the military department of the south, having deliberately declared themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having taken up arms against the said United States, it becomes a military necessity to declare them under martial law. This was accordingly done on the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in a free country are altogether incompatible; the persons in these three States — Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina— heretofore held as slaves, are therefore declared forever free."

Maj, General David Hunter
1862

After General Order No. 11, Hunter began enlisting black soldiers from the occupied districts of South Carolina and formed the first such Union Army regiment, the 1st South Carolina (African Descent),which he was initially ordered to disband, but eventually got approval from Congress for his action. This order was quickly rescinded by Abraham Lincoln, who was concerned about the political effects that it would have in the border states, driving some slave holders to support the Confederacy. (Lincoln's own Emancipation Proclamation was announced in September, taking effect in January 1863.) Nevertheless, the South was furious at Hunter's action and Confederate president Jefferson Davis issued orders to the Confederate Armies that Hunter was to be considered a "felon to be executed if captured."   

http://www.drbronsontours.com/bronsongeneraldavidhunter.html  I found this link the most helpful on Hunter.  It seems he was better known for his friendly relationship with Abraham Lincoln which led to several important assignments including presiding on the court-martial of Fitz John Porter and presiding at the trial of the Lincoln conspirators.  He also ordered the burning of the buildings of the Virginia Military Institute and made strenuous efforts (some opposed by Lincoln)  to free slaves and arm them for the Union cause.  

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1862-Wayne Co Pa-Draft Notice-Substitute-Desertion
Item #: NEW-0013081

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Interesting set of documents relating to the conscription of David S Mitchell of Damascus Township.  

The first document is on blue rag paper and measures around 7 by 4 inches, repaired on the back with scotch tape.  This form notifies Mitchell that he is liable for military service.

The second little document is on rag paper which has been extensively repaired with scotch tape on the back.  Issued from Wayne County Pennsylvania, Honesdale Pa, October 1862. "YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, That you have been DRAFTED into the Military Service of the United States, and that you are required by Law to report yourself to me at Honesdale within five days from the date hereof."

The final document is dated Nov 1862 from Camp Philadelphia, stating that Mitchell had furnished a substitute by the name of Henry Duncan and that he was enlisted for three years.  Signed by Col Lumuel Todd, Recruiting Officer.

Evidently Duncan took the money and ran as he is listed in the Civil War Database having deserted 5 days after his enlistment with E Company Pa 3rd Heavy Artillery.  



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1863 Union Letter-Camped on Farm
Item #: NEW-0011962

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Two pages, front to back, along with civil war cover postmarked Washington D C and with a bulls eye cancel. Dated November 14th, 1863 from a Camp near Brandy Station 1863.  Unsigned.  The letter was very difficult for me to read although it is not as light as it appears on the scan. Written content vertically and horizontally on the same page makes my brain shut down.  Here is what I could read, "We are camped on the farm of John M Botts the great champion of liberty in these parts-the Confederate army have done all they could to destroy it."  John M Botts, was arrested by the Confederate army for being a Union spy and imprisoned in Castle Godwin.  Actually although he was a Unionist he later criticized and blamed Lincoln for starting the Civil War.

John M Botts

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Soldier's Back Pay-Bounties Forms
Item #: NEW-0010850

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Two form from the United States Claim Agency from; Grand Rapids dated March 1863 which spells out the payments some soldiers were eligible for and how to apply for them.  The first document measures 8 by 5 inches and the smaller one is five by five inches.  Light rag paper.

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1865 Letter-Union Soldier-Nashville
Item #: NEW-0010013

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Letter is dated May 1865 and the signature appears to be S ? Person and is addressed to his sister Harriett Hull from Beverly Washington County Ohio.  Nice clear cancel from Nashville and a fancy cancel I have not seen before-leaf?

Two pages of personal content with only a couple of references to the waning days of the war.  A couple of small holes at the folds. The letter is difficult to read due to phonetic spelling etc. "was glad to hear that ? had got his discharge."  "I have answered every letter that ever got from you even so they must have been lost even it seem like you had forgot me  but still we will make it all wright if i live to get home" "The papers says that all the one years men is to report to there on State Capitol and be mustered out and if this is the case I think we will be home in 6 weeks and then I learned it say that every man could go home and libel to be called in between this then our time is ?" More but I give up.

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Early Daily Citizen Reprint
Item #: NEW-007947

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Single sheet paper printed on wallpaper. I believe this to be an early facsimile issue of the famous paper produced by the Union army when Vicksburg was seized. Countless issues were made of the paper, many of which were distributed at GAR reunions. I believe this to be old because of the acidic bleed through visible on the front from the pattern of the wall paper. This has been encapsulated. There are some tiny edge tears as well as a large edge tear on the right hand side year the top. There is also a nip out of the top left hand corner. The color of the wall paper and the pattern is so light that I could not capture it in a scan. These reprint issues have been climbing in value, some as high as $500.  Most of the reprints were made in the 1870's and 80's.

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95th Pennsylvania Volunteer Inf Letter-Battle Content
Item #: NEW-007800

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One and a half page letter written by Thomas D Ayers of the 95th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company F. "From Camp at the White House Kent County Virginia, May 17th 1862." Condition: Wear to the folds with holes along the folds not affecting content. Stains. See scans Dear Brother, I received your welcome and affectionate letter several days ago and would have answered it sooner only I had no post stamps. And you cant by (sic) one for love nor money. I suppose you heard about the fights with the rebels at West Point. Our regiment was not mentioned in the Philadelphia papers at all. As far as I can learn and they are the ones who ought to have a praise and not the Fire Zouaves for they were not within 2 miles of the battle all day. Our regiment lost about 10 killed and 15 or 20 wounded and the Division (Franklins) lost about 130 killed. Our regiment went into the fght and drove the rebels out of their entrenchments. Our company stood up like men and if it had not been for our captains skillful maneuvers we all would have been taken prisoner or killed so you may know we had a hard fight. But we are always ready for to fight the rebels and can whip them out of their boots..." Rest is personal Your Brother Thomas D Ayers

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4th N H Infantry-Letter-Col Louis Bell- KIA
Item #: NEW-007730

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Four full pages on great patriotic stationary dated Oct 23rd 1861 written by Louis Bell to his sister. Written "On board Steamship Baltic". The patriotic graphic of Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort and Hygeia Hotel Virginia takes up a third of the lettersheet. I purchased this letter in 1998 when the Bell estate was broken up. There is a large archive in the University of New Hampshire Library-Milne Special Collections and Archives which is on the web. This letter is addressed to Sallie whom he addresses as My dear Sister. It could be his sister-in-law, since his comments indicate that possibility. Bell was killed in action at Fort Fisher. (detail follow) The content is a mixture of personal and war information. I will give the content related to the war. "The commencement of this letter indicates my whereabouts, and the map X on the above shows my exact locality. I left Concord ...and got to Washington Thursday night and found that the Regiment had left for Annapolis that day. I followed on the next day and found the Regiment at last. Last Saturday evening we embarked on board this splendid steamship which contains without crowding all of us, and our horses, and our General (H G Wright) his staff and a number of big guns, shells for them...The fleet consists of near a hundred ships, some dozen or more of them are of the very biggest size, the Baltic, Atlantic, Vanderbilt, ?, Roanoke, Ariel, Empire City ? Queen, Philadelphia etc. Then the Minnesota Wabash and some five or six other ships of war as an escort to the transport ships, which contain the transports, some fifteen thousand men and a large quantity of material for siege and fortifying. Now the question is where is this great force to go-we have no information-but various guesses , my guess is Beaufort North Carolina. At all event we start tomorrow noon for somewhere-and the news of where we will go will reach you through the papers-probably before this letter does-for the government through over caution...will detain all letters till there is no chance of the enemy gaining any information from any correspondence that may take place between the fleet and various persons... We have had a little excitement this morning-first on account of a ship that went sailing by "without saying by your leave," and which various circumstances led the naval officers to believe not to be all right so one of the warship's little gunboats slowly turned around and sent a couple of shells after the ship which had the result of bringing her up to explain. Next a rebel gunboat steamed out from ? point and took a look at us-two or three of the gun boats whirled round and off went the rebels to their batteries again...I think that the government is perfectly right in not letting the expedition sail but keeping them on board ship-for after being cooped up for a week longer-the troops will be so glad to get on shore that a rebel battery will be of no account whatsoever. All the men are in capitol condition and spirits which leads me to have great hopes that the expedition may accomplish its design... I trust God may see fit to direct that I may return in safety to my home once more but if not I shall feel that I shall have died in the best cause the world has ever known and it will be no disgrace to my precious wife and child to have it said that the husband and father died fighting for his country...instructs her to address letters to Lieut Col Louis Bell, 4th New Hampshire Regiment, Gen Wrights Brigade, Brigadier Sherman's Division.. Here is some personal information about Louis Bell, who was the son of Governor Samuel Bell and his second wife, Lucy. He was born in Chester N H. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Louis Bell enlisted and was appointed Captain of Company A, First N H Reg of Infantry. He was later appointed Lieutenant Colonel to the 4th Regiment. General Sherman promoted Bell to Inspector General and Chief of staff in October of 1861. Bell succeeded to the command of Colonel in March of of 1862. In April of that year Col. Bell's regiment occupied the fortified town of St. Augustine. While there, Bell was relieved of his command for an alleged violation of government order but he was reinstated in September of 1862. In the winter and spring of 63 he commanded a brigade consisting of the Third and Fourth N H Reg and the Ninth and Eleventh Maine Reg. His brigade was involved in the sieges of Forts Wagner and Gregg on Morris Island and Fort Sumter, Charleston, S C. On May 9th 1864, Bell's brigade took part in the Battle of Petersburg and helped lay siege to the town from June to December of 1864. From Dec 7027 Bell led an unsucessful expedition against Fort Fisher in Wilmington North Carolina. A second expedition against Fort Fisher result ed in the fort's capture on January 15,1865. During the battle, Col Bell was mortally wounded and died January 16th, 1865. Bell was promoted to Brigadier General posthumously. His wife died months later.

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Gen Fitz John Porter-ALS-Gen-Barnard Bee
Item #: NEW-007657

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This letter is dated March 20th 1851 from West Point and is signed by Fitz John Porter, then a professor at West Point. He is assuming the debt of one of his friends and former West Pointer, Barnard Elliott Bee. Porter became a General on the Union Side and Bee became a General for the Confederacy. Content is as follows: Sir, Bvt. Capt B E Bee told you or your agent to call upon me for the amount of a bill due you by him, and charged to me. Be pleased to send the amount of the bill and oblige Yours F J Porter. (Debt was $189.84). Condition: Brown ink on tin blue rag paper, folds, glued to the bottom is the old catalogue listing. Pencil and ink markings on the back. Here is a brief history on Porter: FitzJohn Porter was a career United States Army officer and a Union General during the American Civil War. He is most known for his performance at the Second Battle of Bull Run and his subsequent court martial. Although Porter served well in the early battles of the Civil War, his military career was ruined by the controversial trial which was called by his political rivals. Afterwards he worked intensely to restore his tarnished reputation for almost 25 years, when he was finally restored to the army's roll. Here is a brief history on Barnard Elliott Bee: Bee had a distinguished military career following his graduation from West Point in 1845 however he is best known for giving Stonewall Jackson his name Stonewall by pointing to General Jackson’s brigade, "standing like a stone wall". Bee sustained mortal wounds during the Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), the very battle that gave rise to his comment about Jackson

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24th NY Cavalry Letter-Post-Report-Death of Col
Item #: NEW-007620

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Letter is written on the letterhead of P D Bricher, Attorney at Law and dated July 25, 1887 from Jersey Shore Pennsylvania. Two page, fantastic content which is a report of Col W C Raulston's attempt to free his men from a prison (No 6 Danville Virgina) Raulston was shot by a Confederate guard and later died from his wounds. This event was included in the book Portals to Hell. There are several references on the web covering the events described in this letter. "To the Survivors of the 24th Regiment N Y Cavalry" Comrades, I noticed this morning by reading an Elvira (?) paper, that a reunion of this regiment will be held in Buffalo, N Y July 27 & 28 -I hasten to write you for some information as to the date the Col of your regiment was killed at Danville Va, while as a prisoner of war, he with others, myself included, led the advance, in the attempt to break out of prison, and thus release all the prisoners, in the building. I have lost the data and would like very much if you could furnish me with the same. When we failed to break open the outer door of the prison, the prison guards allied and firing through the windows forced us to retreat up to the second floor of the building. While going up these stairs, if my memory serves me right is where the Col. (W C Raulston) was killed. I was at his side, or perhaps a step higher when he fell. With saddened hearts over the failure to break out and the shock of the tragic death of our brave leader caused many a brave man to shed tears that terrible day. No braver man than the Col of the 24th N Y Cav fell in the defense of his country during the war. His noble form, and daring look when giving us the command to follow him, I shall never forget. Comrades, while you refer to the roll of the honored dead of your regiment-drop a tear to his memory in behalf of the surviving prisoners of the war for whom he so gallantly lost his life, in his efforts to liberate them. I trust the allusion to your deceased comrades will not mar the many pleasing recollections of the war which crowd in upon the mind and memory of the survivors of the late unpleasantness and which grow brighter and more entertaining as they are portrayed by the peculiarly fitted story tellers in the language spirit and feeling of the days gone by. These reminiscences or stories are "chestnuts” that will keep and will always be enjoyed especially by a class of men, whose places in history can never be filled. Trusting Comrades I have not trespassed upon your time and feeling (although an entire stranger) a fraternal interest in you reunion by being associated with one of your members, under the circumstance related-I remain yours, fraternally, P D Bricher, Late Capt Co. F 13th Regiment Pa. Cav & Brevet Major This added after the closing, "The cavalry branch was detailed on the occasion of the break to lead the charge and when out of prison to capture all horses wagons etc and to make rapid advance to our lines for relief and from our army. The artillery and infantry were to seize all the arms of the guards, besides those in the arsenal, arm the prisoners which numbering over 3000 and to resist the enemy on the march to our lines. Our plans were well defined and would have been, if successful, on the the greatest event of the war and Col Ralston one of the greatest heroes. Here is a history of the 24th Reg N Y Cav taken from the web. Left the State: February 23, 1864 Consolidated with the 10th regiment of cavalry and designated 1st provisional regiment of cavalry, July 10, 1865 August 25, 1863, Col William C. Raulston, formerly Lieutenant-Colonel, 81st N. Y. Volunteers, received authority to reorganize the 24th Volunteer Infantry, then discharged by reason of the expiration of its term of service. September 25, 1863, this authority was modified to read that a regiment of cavalry, this, the 24th, should be organized. The regiment was organized accordingly at Auburn, and its companies were mustered in the service of the United States for three years, A, C, D and E, December 28, 1863; B, F, G, H and I, January 7; K and L, January 19, and M, January 26, 1864. The companies were recruited principally: A at Fulton and Phoenix; B at Utica, Auburn and Springfield; C at Oswego, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Auburn and Volney; D at Buffalo, Southport, Baldwin, Orange, Elmira and Catlin; E at Oswego, Scriba, Hastings, Hannibal, Orwell and Parish; F at Buffalo, Taberg, Oswego, Rome and Utica; G at Orwell, Sandy Creek, Amboy, Oswego, New Haven and Lorraine; H at Rochester, Mt. Morris and Canandaigua; I at Oswego, Fulton, Parish, Palermo and Hastings; K at Syracuse, Onondaga, Oswego and Buffalo; L at Canandaigua, Auburn, Rochester, Mt. Morris, Rome and Utica; M at Buffalo, Auburn, Utica, Syracuse and Onondaga. The regiment left the State February 23, 1864, and served, dismounted, near Washington, D. C, in the 22d Corps from February, 1864; in Marshall's Provisional Brigade, 9th Corps, from May 5, 1864; in the same brigade, 1st Division, 9th Corps, from May 12, 1864; in the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 9th Corps, Army of Potomac, from June 11, 1864; in the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Corps, from September, 1864; mounted in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, Cavalry, Army of Potomac, from October 20, 1864; in 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of Potomac, from May, 1865. Colonel William C. Raulston was captured by the enemy September 30, 1864; in an attempt to escape, of which he was the leader, he was shot, December 10, 1864, by a Confederate sentinel at Danville, Va., and from the effects of this wound died December 15, 1864, Under the command of Col. Walter C. Newberry the regiment was consolidated, company with corresponding company, with the 10th N. Y. Volunteer Cavalry at Cloud's Mills, Va., July 10, 1865; the new organization receiving the designation "1st Provisional Regiment N. Y. Volunteer Cavalry." During its service the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 1 officer, 72 enlisted men; of wounds received in action, 6 officers, 40 enlisted men; of disease and other causes, 1 officer, 133 enlisted men; total, 8 officers, 245 enlisted men; aggregate, 253; of whom I officer and 30 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy

Col W C Raulston
 

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1900 Official LH-Soldier Denied Pension-Desertion
Item #: CIV-007086

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There are two paper items in this lot regarding a widow being denied a pension for her husband who was thought to have deserted. Mildred Kidd has written W P Brownlow requesting his help in securing the pension. Brownlow has written Paul Devine for his help. Written on the official letterhead of the Committee on Census" House of Representatives. "The story that this man Kidd deserted to the enemy at Atlanta Ga seems to me to be wholly improbable. The Southern Confederacy was on its last legs at the time and no man was fool enough to do such a thing under the circumstances. I am inclined to the idea that this soldier was killed." W P Brownlow was the nephew of Parson Brownlow

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104th Ohio Inf-Battle of Franklin Letter
Item #: NEW-007007

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No paypal on this item. This letter is by Andrew Moon of the 104th Ohio Infantry, Company C written from a Camp near Columbia Tennessee on December 24, 1864, Moon has used the back of the unused pages from a letter written to him by his sister who gives home front news. Here is the most pertinent content: ...We left Nashville on the 15th and attacked Hood driving him out of his works with but little loss to our Corps as we was on the right flank of the army. The 4th and 15th Corps which was in the center lost more men as they had to charge his stronger works, out regt has lost but one man since we left Nashville..." "We have been driving him (Hood) south ever since taking a large amt of prisoners (about 15 or 18 thousand) about 60 pieces of artillery in fact completely demoralizing his army which he claims to be the flower of the South but the papers will tell you more than I can." We are now about 48 miles south of Nashville and have Hood on full retreat across Duck River. I don't think we will be bothered with him anymore this winter I hardly think we will follow him any farther this winter. I think we will go to winter quarters soon. When we recaptured Franklin Tenn we found J A McCannon he had been taken prisoner after he was wounded and we did not know it we thought he had got off the battle field. They used him pretty rough while they had him, it was 6 days before he had his wound dressed-only as he done it himself. They took all this money, hat and boots..." Moon mustered into Company C on August 30 1862. He was wounded in action and discharged for his wounds on May 18,1865, less than a month before his regiment mustered out of service. The 104th Ohio saw action at Lexington, Atlanta, Rocky Faced Ridge, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kennesaw, Nashville, Franklin and Wilmington.

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Andrew Moon
104 Ohio Infantry

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87th Indiana Inf-Letters-1864-Ringgold Ga
Item #: NEW-006894

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Two more letters in a series of letters from Frank Brown of the 87th Indiana Infantry, Company D. These two letters were written from Ringgold Georgia, one dated March 19, 1864 and the other May 6th, 1864. The March letter is three and a quarter pages written to "Sister Lottie" Content consists of requests of writing material and other things of Brown to be sent to him. The May letter is also written to his sister and consists of one and 3/4 of a second page. Note the pencil notations on the back that are not relevant to the letter. "We have just got orders to be ready to march tomorrow at day light and we can send no more letters after five O'clock today...You must not get uneasy if you don't hear from me again soon but keep writing to me and you may be sure that as soon as they will allow letters to go north again that I will write. Tell Eba Whitney I shall not have time to write to only one in a place and I hope she will excuse me under the circumstances but I want you ALL to write to me we can get letters from you but will not be allowed to send any from the army until the fight ahead is settled and then if I am so fortunate as to not gt killed I will probably have something interesting to write about. I can't see what all my correspondents are doing. I have got no letter for seven days...More along this line. These two letters point out how crucial the letters from home were to the soldiers. Frank Brown mustered into Company G on 31 August 1862; after two years hard fighting as a private he was promoted to Commissary Sergeant and on 10 June 1865 was mustered out at Washington, D. C. Before his promotion, Brown fought at Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Chcickamauga, Chattanooga, Rocky Faced Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Pine Hill, Kennesaw, Peach Tree Creek and Utoy Creek. See the other letters from this soldier listed on my site.

Frank Brown

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87th Indiana Inf-Soldiers Letter-Frank Brown
Item #: NEW-006809

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This is another letter in a series written by Frank Brown, a Commissary Sergeant who fought in numerous battles. This letter consists of three full pages and a little on the last page. Note that the last page has some pencil notes made later on by someone else. This letter is quite legible. Tear at top edge and pinholes at center folds and tear at bottom. This letter is dated August 12, 1864 from "In the field near Atlanta Georgia". Here is part of the content: "Here I am again trying to interest you by telling you some...stories about things in general way down here in Georgia. I think that they are the most unfriendly set down here in Georgia that I ever met- at least that has been my experience. Last summer I tried a short trip in this state and they acted very uppitty (?) to me at Chickamauga and I concluded to go back to Tennessee and on this trip they are inclined to be ugly but we are bound to see the thing through and see if there is a soft spot in this rebellious land. Our hurried departure from Marietta spoiled by calculations in regard to splurging among the ? for which I am extremely sorry. talk about leaving home I tell you it was nothing to leaving Marietta it was not so much what we left behind as what we expected to find in our way for I say unto you this is a hard road to travel my candid opinion is that it is a worse road than the one they blow so much about-over Jordan: Jordan be blowed!! What is Jordan along side of Chattahoochie". "You will be pleased to hear that my position in the army is changed very materially that is I am what you might call a noncombatant to explain which I will tell you a little story about one week ago Col Hammond came to me and said that I could have my choice to stay in the company as Orderly Sergeant for the Regt and I chose the latter..I do not have to participate in any of the fighting and can keep pretty clear of bullets..."I have soldiered two years and I have been in everything that the 87th has and now I mean to lay low and take all the comfort I can for the balance of my time." Frank Brown mustered into Company G on 31 August 1862; after two years hard fighting as a private he was promoted to Commissary Sergeant and on 10 June 1865 was mustered out at Washington, D. C. Before his promotion, Brown fought at Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Chcickamauga, Chattanooga, Rocky Faced Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Pine Hill, Kennesaw, Peach Tree Creek and Utoy Creek.

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87th Indiana Inf-Chickamauga-Letter-Union Soldier-Frank Brown
Item #: NEW-006793

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This is one of a series of letters from Frank Brown. This letter is dated Dec 11th 1863 and is four pages. Here is the most interesting content which recalls the recent defeat at Chickamauga. "I am going out on the old battle field of Chickamauga where we fought Sept 19-20...there is a party going out to see what they can find out about lost and missing comrades...it will be quite interesting...to go over the ground again that we made such desperate efforts to win.. Frank Brown mustered into Company G on 31 August 1862; after two years hard fighting as a private he was promoted to Commissary Sergeant and on 10 June 1865 was mustered out at Washington, D. C. Before his promotion, Brown fought at Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Chcickamauga, Chattanooga, Rocky Faced Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Pine Hill, Kennesaw, Peach Tree Creek and Utoy Creek.

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87th Indiana Infantry-1864 Union Letter-Frank Brown
Item #: NEW-006772

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Two page letter, not as light as it appears in the scan and quite legible. Written from Chattanooga Tennessee-Feb 18 1864 and signed by Frank Brown of the 87th Indiana Infantry. This letter is part of a series of letters from Frank Brown which have been listed separately. Letter begins "Stirring times are on hand again or appearances are very deceitful. We have marching orders and that always means something with us if there is a fight ahead than our old division is sure to be called upon as you may look for news of a fight or a foot race soon. I was really in hope they would leave us in Chattanooga until the first of April if not longer and I would be satisfied to serve the rest of my time out here but no that would not do of course we have got it so that a person can live pretty comfortable here so we will have to push ahead and leave this place for troops to come forward and take possession who have never seen a reb only as we sent them back prisoners while we drive away the rebs, build bridges make roads build forts and make some other place safe and comfortable for them to follow up with their soft bread and butter... I know plenty of regiments that have never been in sight of a fight or out of sight of R R communication soft bread and know nothing about the hardships of a soldiers life at the front but have the most to say about what we have done, yes we done it! Bah!" more Frank Brown mustered into Company G on 31 August 1862; after two years hard fighting as a private he was promoted to Commissary Sergeant and on 10 June 1865 was mustered out at Washington, D. C. Before his promotion, Brown fought at Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Chcickamauga, Chattanooga, Rocky Faced Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Pine Hill, Kennesaw, Peach Tree Creek and Utoy Creek.

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87th Indiana Infantry Soldier-1862 Letter
Item #: NEW-006771

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This two page letter is dated 2nd 1862 from Camp Oakland. It is signed by Frank Brown, "Direct Louisville Kentucky-87th Ind Vol care of Captain Bliss Co G (Alanson Bliss)" Here is part of the content: "I suppose you will be surprised to hear...that I have enlisted and that I am in the vicinity of the Rebels and expect soon to face them in Battle...I care not how soon if we were only well drilled but I dont realy fancy leading raw troops into action when half of the don't know how to even load a gun. We have been so busy since I have not had time to write The reg was already on the cars when I reached South Bend where I enlisted and we went Indianapolis where we arrived the same night and then while there we had to draw our pay clothes arms to which with drill and camp duty kept us pretty busy..." Frank Brown mustered into Company G on August 31 1862, after two years of hard fighting as a private he was promoted to Commisssary Sergeant and on June 10, 1865 was mustered out at Washington D.C. Here is a history of his unit found on the web. 87th Regiment, Indiana Infantry Organized at South Bend, Ind., and mustered in August 31, 1862. Ordered to Louisville, Ky., August 31. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Ohio, September, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Center 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps, to June, 1865. SERVICE.-Pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard, Ky., October 1-15, 1862. Battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7. Duty South Tunnel, Pilot Knob and Gallatin, Tenn., November 8-26, and guarding fords of the Cumberland till January 29, 1863. Duty at Nashville, Tenn., till March 6. Duty at Triune till June. Expedition toward Columbia, Tenn., March 4-14. Franklin June 4-5. Middle Tennessee or Tullahoma Campaign June 23-July 7. Hoover's Gap June 24-26. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-21. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Demonstration on Dalton, Ga., February 22-27, 1864. Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap and Rocky Faced Ridge February 23-25. Reconnoissance from Ringgold toward Tunnel Hill April 29. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to September 8. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's or Neal Dow Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Utoy Creek August 7. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Fayetteville, N. C., March 11. Averysboro March 16. Battle at Bentonville March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D. C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 19. Grand Review May 24. Mustered out June 10, 1865. Regiment lost during service 10 Officers and 81 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and<

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1862 Letter-Soliciting Ky Governor for Appointment
Item #: NEW-006645

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One and a half page letter to James F Robinson, Governor of Kentucky from R H Harison of Paris Kentucky. He is requesting that his nephew John T Wigginton be awarded a Lieutenancy in Captain Mullens Company of Col Warners Regiment (I’m not entirely sure of the spelling of these two names). "He had an order to recruit a company for the three years service for a week or two. He has been very industrious but has only been able to get sixteen men. He understands that there is a vacancy in the lieutenancy in Capt Mullens (?) company of Col Warners (?) regiment and that the place will be filled by your appointment or by the Adjutant General Finnell....It would very much gratify John T and his friends here to secure the appointment. He is a very sprightly generous intelligent and gallant boy of noble impulses and fine habits, devoted heart and soul to the services of the Union. He is well acquainted with the company drill and is considered a fair drill master. He has been from the first engaged in the military movements as a home guard or otherwise. IN THE LATE MORGAN RAID HE WAS VERY ACTIVE AND EFFICIENT AND RENDERED VALUABLE SERVICES IN VARIOUS WAYS AND NOW HE IS GONE WITH A COMPANY OF HOME GUARDS WITH MR. DAVIS AND OTHERS TO MEET THE INVADING FOE... some closing comments. Note: I could not find a John T Wigginton in union ranks on the soldier list. There was one in Tennessee Confederate ranks but doubt this was him unless he changed sides. A little slip which accompanied the letter, however, did note that the writer, R H Harison was a Confederate sypathizer. Needs more research.

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Patriotic Letter Sheet-Great Battle Scene
Item #: NEW-006526

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Nice lithograph which takes up almost half of the sheet. Rough edge on the left and very tiny tears at bottom and top edge. I believe this scene is one of the Kellogg prints.

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6th Connecticut Vol-Death Payment
Item #: NEW-006491

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Interesting document awarding the mother of James Shurtliff, deceased member of the 16th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, $10 for his death. See scan to view the condition. Signed by the town clerk, Levi Woodhouse and Henry A White & John Morris.

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58th US Colored Infantry- Mississippi Oath of Allegiance
Item #: NEW-006317

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Here's a very unusual item dated May 13th 1865 in Natchez Miss. Oath of Allegiance to the United States signed by Dempsey P Jackson, a planter "near Washington and Adams ?" The oath was administered by the oath officer, can't read the name but the 1st Lieutenant of the 58th US Colored Infantry. The person taking the oath was clearly a white man by his description. Here is the brief history of this Unit that I found on the web. 58th Regiment Infantry Organized March 11, 1864, from 6th Mississippi Infantry (African Descent). Attached to Post of Natchez, Miss., District of Vicksburg, Miss., to April, 1866. SERV1CE.--Post and garrison duty at Natchez and in the Dept. of Mississippi entire term. Expedition from Natchez to Gillespie's Plantation, La., August 4-6, 1864. Mustered out April 30, 1866. Please view the scan to see the condition problems on this item. Extensive repairs to the back with what appears to be acid free tape.

Shipping Weight: 1 lb
Price: $175.50 USD
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115th Reg-Ill Vol Inf A Co-Requisition for Fuel
Item #: CIV-005689

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Dated June 1865 and signed by Captain Jesse Hanon (?). Nashville, Tennessee

Shipping Weight: 0.13 lb
Price: $15.50 USD
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1901 Letter--Pension Office-Soldier's Plea-Desertion.
Item #: NEW-005688

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Two and a half page letter from the Record and Pension Office, War Department, Washington City, June 14, 1901 regarding the case of Thomas Earls of Company H, 2nd East Tennessee Infantry Volunteers. Earls was appealing the fact that he was listed as a deserter by the Military. Earls stated that he was wounded and was treated in a private home until his company ended its service. Earls was turned down in his request for a pension.

Thomas Earls
Company H, 2nd East Tennessee Infantry Volunteers.

Shipping Weight: 0.13 lb
Price: $15.50 USD
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Stanton Legion-1862 Lt-Isaac L Taylor-Dispute
Item #: NEW-005684

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One and a half page letter written by Captain Isaac L Taylor, Stanton Legion to Governor Edwin D Morgan, New York. Dated Sept 10th 1862. Here is the content. "I received from Hon. Thomas Hillhouse, adjutant General, an authority to raise a company under General Orders No. 31. At the urgent request of William H Allen, I attached myself to the Stanton Legion. I have recruited in all 60 men and 58 of them have been regularly mustered into the U S Service. On the evening of Sept 5th I was requested to call at Col. Allen's private office. Col Allen ordered me then and there to leave his camp. I asked Col. Allen if he had any charges to make against me to make them and I would submit to a court martial. He refused to make any charges and ordered the officer of the day to conduct me out of camp at the same time turning to me and saying, "God damn you. If I ever catch you anywhere within the lines of my camp, I will either shoot or bayonet you." That such expulsion was entirely without case as I have not been guilty of any conduct that would justify so gross an outrage, nor have I been guilty of any conduct that would even render me liable to a court martial. I have at all times treated Col Allen with respect and rendered him strict obedience. When this expulsion took place, Col Allen was grossly intoxicated as he has been on a number of occasions since his regiment has been forming, so much as to render him unfit for duty. I therefore respectfully ask permission to take my men to some other regiment and have them mustered into service. I have the honour to remain Sir with high consideration,   Isaac L Taylor, 18 Barrow St, City of New York." Docket on reverse: "Statement of Capt. Issac L Taylor, Company D Stanton Legion, Resp, referred to Insp. General."

Isaac L Taylor

Shipping Weight: 0.13 lb
Price: $167.50 USD
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73rd Indiana Vols Regt-1862 Letter
Item #: NEW-005677

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Six page letter, dated Sept 14, 1862 from a camp near Louisville Ky. Signed Corporal Thomas Frazier 73rd Regiment Indiana Volunteers Company B. Corporal .  Frazier died, reason not given but looking at the history of the 73rd, it was likely resulting from the Battle at Stone's River. 

Here is some of the most interesting content.(edited) ....Two miles from Louisville. Don't know how many thousands of troops 50,000 soldiers here. Are very much discouraged about the reverses our troops have met with. A good many think it is very doubtful whether we come off victorious in this great contest and some heartedly wish the government to relinquish the war at once.I am in hope the government will reclaim its old renown for bringing the traitor to justice. They are not to blame for the officers are such merciless tyrants that the privates feel like following them into the battlefield. The General we are under killed two, three of his men on that long retreat but if he ever strikes one of our boys it will be the last time..Goes on to discuss the election of officers-tyrant for a Captain. Our Springfield rifles was taken from us and we got old muskets in return"
  
Here is Frazier's record:

Enlisted on 8/16/1862 as a Corporal.

On 8/16/1862 he mustered into "B" Co. IN 73rd Infantry 
He died on 1/15/1863 at Cincinnati, OH
 (Estimated day of death)

Residence Laporte IN; 
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

 - Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com



Shipping Weight: 0.13 lb
Price: $157.50 USD
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7th Reg-Michigan Inf-1861 Letter-Albert Matteson
Item #: NEW-005607

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Nice letter on patriotic letter sheet from Albert Matteson who died on 8/7/1862 at the hospital on the James River.  7th Michigan Infantry. Written from Camp Benton on December 15,1861. See scans. 

This information reflects my research of the information given in the letter and is subject to mistakes. Here is some of the content. ...I would write a few lines to let you know that I yet alive. We are here yet in..the same place yet that have got some of the best log houses that there is. We have built a fort We have commenced at one point and built them right close together and built in a squares? and the doors are all built on the side so that we cannot get out nowwheres Only in one place I wish that I could come and see you and get some apples and ? for we have to pay five cents a piece for apples and five cents for a glass of cider and this is the greates place for shaving the soldiers. signed Albert Matterson T: Alphonso Eldrad 

Shipping Weight: 0.13 lb
Price: $157.50 USD
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New York Times-Tennessee Readmitted to Union
Item #: CIV-005223

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Paper dated July 20 1866. Lead article is regarding the re-admission of the State of Tennessee to the union. Complete paper with one stain and tears in the upper margin.

Shipping Weight: 1.5 lbs
Price: $15.50 USD
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8th Iowa-Capt Alex Clark-Cover- Benton Barracks-Mo
Item #: NEW-004801

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One legal sized letter dated March 30, 1863. Signed Alex  Clark, written to my ever dear Sarah. The letter has the cover which is cancelled from St. Louis with a bulls-eye cancel.  It is addressed to Letter was written to Miss Sara McMillan English Settlement Marion Co Iowa. This is now a discontinued post office. I as able to identify this soldier, who married the addressee after the war.  See his biography which follows the listing. 

   Mention is made of a Col Geddes and a Col. Ferguson who were both with the 8th Iowa Regiment. Here is some of the more interesting content. "We have been detailed to go some place we suppose up the Missouri River where Guerrillas have been doing some mischief..we are ordered to take only 4 days rations so suppose we will not be long gone..."Today we were visited by William Converse and Will Harvey, they came down as guard for prisoners from Springfield." Finally, another exchange of interest. "I don't know how to destroy those letters have clung to them all carrying them in my jackets but now must destroy them, they have been a source of great pleasure, -but must destroy them for fear they may fall into other hands. Have got three photographs one of Col Geddes, one Col. Ferguson and one John Reece..." There is no yellow stain on the letter as appears in the scan. The handwriting is quite legible. During the Civil War, Benton Barracks was an encampment for Union troops and was located in north St. Louis County, 4-5 miles from the City of St. Louis. . "The facility, located on the outskirts of St. Louis, could accommodate 30,000 soldiers and contained a mile of barracks, warehouses, cavalry stables, parade grounds, and a large military hospital. The hospital itself could...serve 2,000 to 3,000 patients." Benton Barracks was situated on land once owned by John O'Fallon who rented the acreage to U.S. Army, and on the grounds of the old State fairgrounds. This area is now part of the City of St. Louis, in the location of Fairgrounds Park (at Grand Ave. and Natural Bridge Rd.) . Camp Benton, which began operations in 1861 had numerous functions: a troop cantonment (replacing Jefferson Barracks after it was converted to a hospital); a parole encampment; a military hospital; and a camp for contraband or refugee slaves. Refugee Unionist (whites) also found sanctuary here. There is also some evidence that a few Confederate guerilla POWs were housed here for a short duration, perhaps awaiting the sentence of execution, in the camp guardhouse.

Here is his soldier record.

Alexander M. Clark

Residence Knoxville IA; 29 years old.

Enlisted on 8/13/1861 as a Sergeant.

On 9/4/1861 he mustered into "E" Co. IA 8th Infantry 
He Re-enlisted on 1/11/1864
He was Mustered Out on 4/20/1866 at Selma, AL


He was listed as:
* POW 4/6/1862 Shiloh, TN


Promotions:
* 1st Sergt 9/1/1862 
* 2nd Lieut 7/4/1863 
* 1st Lieut 1/18/1865 
* Capt 3/3/1865 
* Capt 3/26/1865 by Brevet (As of Vols)


Other Information:
born in Ohio


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

 - Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com

Here is a link that gives Clark's history http://www.onlinebiographies.info/ia/mar/clark-am.htm


Shipping Weight: 1 lb
Price: $165.50 USD
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N Y Times-Nov 30 1864-War in Tennessee
Item #: NEW-004180

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Early front page report of the beginnings of the Battle of Franklin. "Hood Repulsed in his Attack on Columbia". "A Small Portion of the Rebel Cavalry Cross Duck River." Very minor wear to this complete rag newspaper. New York Times

Shipping Weight: 2 lbs
Price: $25.50 USD
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1865 Sanitary Commission Letter
Item #: CIV-000321

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Nice letterhead on this post war letter, written on August 2nd, 1865 by William Hess (?) from Louisville Kentucky. The soldier is writing home to his family just after the war. Personal content of being sick and speculation about when he could come home. Folds and no cover.

price reduced

Shipping Weight: 0.13 lb
Price: $25.50 USD
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Catalog Updated
6/13/2023 4:08:00 PM
Gambler Set-Pistol-Gaming Marker-More

$2,500.00

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