19th Maine Letter Archive

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011

A good group of eight (8) Union soldier's letters written by Pvt. Philip M. Rollins, 19th Maine who was detail as an artilleryman in the 2nd Corps artillery brigade in 1864, totaling approximately 25pp., reading, in part: "…[Falmouth, Va., April 17, 63]…we had orders to march with eight days rations…we may cross over the river and attack the rebels…the [government is] going to draft more men…our cavalry crost the river the other day and took lots of prisoners and horses and cattle. I see them that they took the they was drest in all kind of clothes…[Bealton Station, Va., Aug. 27]…we are waiting for conscripts to…fill up our regiment…while we was on the march they [blackberries] was ripe and when we would stop at night there would be a whole brigade or division picking blackberries. Quite a sight I tell you…there was a man shot the other day for deserting all in sight of me…I hear there is three more to be shot tomorrow for deserting…[Brandy Station, Va., Feb. 16, 64]…we had a little brush with the Jonny Rebs the other day…the troops all turned and went acrost the Rappadan. Our train had orders to be ready to move…today the 7th Michigan Regiment came back they reinlisted and went home on a furlough…I don't think that I shall reinlist…I don't like to be deprived of female society…I am sick of seeing so many cowards that…play sick…[They] will lay around the hospital and after a while get their discharge and go home…one man in this train…has lost two or three children and his wife is sick…he has thought so much about them that he is…crazy…he don't eat any thing nor sleep…don't talk…to no one…such a man as that had ought to go home but cannot…the shoulder straps go when they please…I am with 2nd Corps Artillery Brigade…five batteries…formed into a brigade…this brigade has to have teams to hall ammunition for their batteries in case of action. They would fire away all that they had with them then they would call…for some from the wagons. The drivers of these teams are detailed from every regiment in the Corps and I am…detailed from my Reg the 19th Me to drive one of these teams…there is about thirty men in this team…[I] have to take care of my team [and] have to hitch up about twice a week…[Petersburg, Va., Sept. 30]…we are all packed up ready to move at a moments notice…there was considerable shelling on both sides. We could see the shells going thru the air…looks like a ball of fire…it looks very nice…but it aint …so nice to be where they are a bursting and pieces going in every direction…some think the Rebbels are evacuating Petersburg…it is hard for a private to tell what Gen. Grant has got in his head…Gen. Butler had a fight with the Rebs yesterday and took six thousand prisoners and sixteen pieces of artillery…Grant will whip them every time and…this war will come to a steady end…I am sorry Rufus [Jewett, 1st Maine Cavalry, DOD March 26, 1865 as POW] got taken prisoner…he will fare hard. I hope that he will be exchanged soon…I have a horse to ride…is there much excitement there about the Election? What do they think that Uncle Abraham is agoing to be President…the soldiers are agoing to allowed to vote…Uncle Abe will get the most of their votes…[on great colored graphic "OUR CAVALRY…My Maryland" stationery, Grove Church, Va., March 22, 65]…15 Jonneys…came in last night [&] brought their arms and equipment. They say that…more [would have] come over but…their officers put a line of sharp shooters in front to keep them from coming over and a line in the rear…to keep them from going home…some of the privates mustered up a Co. and took their arms…their army has not got much discipline in it. Many that has served ever since the war commenced…they got tired of fighting and dread next summer…I am sorry to hear that Rufus has to stay and die with them; no doubt he fared hard. I never want to be taken prisoner by them…". Also included is a particle 2pp. Union soldier's letter written by "Sid" [possibly Major Sidney W. Thaxter, 1st Maine Cavalry who won the MOH at Hatcher's Run, Va., 10/27/64] on how he was a good friend of Rufus' and on how he has experienced the "horrors of war". Overall VG. Est.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).