Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A great collection of four war-date Union soldier's letters, totaling nine pages, written by Corporal Benjamin Jirah Gates (1836-1905), Co. I, 47th Illinois Vols., to his sister Emily A. Gates (1839-1927), in part: "…[Jefferson City, Mo., Oct. 29, 1861]…I am on guard a round camp. I can put my relief on guard and then I can stay in my tent. I had a petticoat gentelman from the city. She is a sister of mister Wonders, the dorm major from Perori…she said that my tent was the handiest and the nicest and the cleanest in the camp…[Camp near Bair Creek, Miss., Aug. 9, 63]…I sent a lot of doctors implements [captured at Jackson, Miss. mentioned in Pvt. Hakes letters offered above] with Capt. [Chester] Andrews to leave with John Bush for him to give to some of our folks. They are very nice ones. They air sesech. Take good care of them for they are very costly. Emily if I was in your place I would not write to Mr. G. W. Hakes. [Pvt. George W. Hakes, Co. I, 47th Illinois, Vols. His letters are offered above.] He takes the pains to show your letters to everybody that he comes handy and that is not all I have been told by the Capt. of his own company…he was in jale for stealing horses, but I don't know how…I do know that [he] is on extra duty nearly half of his time and is thought but little of by his company. He is not the man that I took him to be…I advise you as a brother not to have nothing to do with him at all…[Black Water Bridge near Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 15, 1864]…the 47th Regt. has insisted as veterans and among the rest is Sam and edmond. The curnel [John D. McClure] wanted me to put my name down and said that he would have me detailed as regimental harness maker, but I told him that I had some harnesses to fix at home. I am glad to see the boys reedy and willing to save our country…I have done my part and my shoulder would not allow me to carry a gun…the doctor opened it and the day afterwards I pulled a bone out of it about an inch long. It is now quite well…tell James not to inlets under eny conditions…[Memphis, Tenn., May 15, 1864]…the river is so low that their boats cant run and they are frost to stay until the river raises…I saw Elias Pratt [66th Illinois, KIA Atlanta, July 22, 64]…he told me that Henry Slough was killed in battle or else taken prisoner…". Also included are three of the original stamped transmittal covers. VG
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