September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Martin Van Buren Phelps, 4pp. octavo, Rendezvous Distribution, Virginia, June 9, 1864, and reads in part: "...Yes I tell you Grant is giving the Johnnys fits I think he will be in that cursed hole Richmond soon, our loss has been frightful, but then our gains our encouraging. I am thankful we was not on that old battlefield, Chancellorsville. I expect our Regt. done some tall fighting there as usual. In the past six weeks over 40,000 soldiers have passed through here enroute for the front. Our army is kept about the same not withstanding our heavy losses. I have been examined twice since I wrote you last. The first time was left the same, the second marked hospital, but yet remain ward master of detailed men....I will not write to Ellen Horton, I have plenty of correspondents all ready. Have some ten now...I am having fine times writing to the gals...Geo. if you was a gal I should make love to you in double quick time..." Fine condition. At the battle of Chancellorsville the 141st Pennsylvania was heavily engaged, sustaining its chief loss in a desperate charge on the morning of the third day of the battle, where it fought with great courage and lost 235 killed, wounded and missing, out of 419 in action.
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