Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A great Massachusetts abolitionist's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by a certain "L. W. R.[ussell]", Fortress Monroe, [Va.], May 29, [1862] concerning a revival meeting of former slaves held near Fortress Monroe and of talking with several escaped slaves, reading, in part: "I wrote a line to Katie this PM…I have been all over the Fortress…there is quite a village of houses within the Fort, officers houses, men's quarters…it requires about 5000 men to garrison it…& seems to be impregnable. Outside of the fort is the Hotel…where I am staying…about three quarters of it is made…a hospital for our wounded soldiers. There is a small village of hussies outside the Fortress & at a slight distance several large wooden sheds where our friends the contrabands live. I have just come back from one of their evening meetings which was very interesting. The service began with a strangely wild chant which seemed as if it came from Africa itself, then a prayer by one of them full of feeling & devotion…that it at times over powered the voice of the speaker & caused his [?] to groan & shout in sympathy. After a [?] of exhortation from a Chelsea minister who happens to be here. I was called upon to speak & I told them all about Port Royal & Mr. Lincoln's good feelings towards their people & whatever else encouraging I could think of. It was really touching to see the interest with which they listened. The poor souls feel so anxious to know their future fate that they are eager to hear anything all say touching their condition & prospects. New ones are coming in every day. I talked this afternoon with some of those who came last night. One was a fine young woman with two children, one only ten months old who escaped…from a town up [the] York river. She had no husband. Her master & other whites were sending all [slaves]…South & her own [?] would have been next. There are many interesting cases here. Mr. Wilder, a Boston man, has charge of the whole & is an excellent man for the place. In the hospital of the Hotel building I found a Salem man whose leg has been amputated…his wife was with him& he seems to have every care, but he looks very sick…I rode through Hampton yesterday. It must have been [a] beautiful town before the Rebels burnt it. It is now the picture of desolation. It is a much larger place than I supposed & had many fine buildings…". Fine.
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).
Click above for larger image.