Union Sergeant Is Accused of Stealing

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012

A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Sgt. William H. Mickle, Co. H 134th New York Vol., "Falmouth, [Va.], Dec. 19, 1862", concerning his honesty verses the immoral behavior of his comrades, in part: "…I was perfectly astounded. You wrote me about stealing. What do you mean? If I have stolen from anyone it is news to me…I have come to the conclusion that that blockhead John Henry has been writing something about his mean pilfering & tells that all the rest are like him. I can give you an instance of my dishonesty. One day a green sutler came into camp & I went out to buy ten cents worth of apples. One of our boys dealt out in one part of the wagon & he gave me the apples & I handed him 25 cents & he could not chance it so he wanted me to take both & go away. I did so but after the man had sold out I went up to him & said sir I owe you ten cents & he was surprised. After I told him how it was he changed the money & some of the officers standing by said 'what you as honest a man as that?'…I will tell you what I think of taking meat or crackers belonging to the government…Uncle Sam owes me a living & if he does not give me enough to eat. I will help myself…as for religion there is not much evidence of its existence in camp. Nearly every officer is an habitual swearer & some of them [?] drinkers…I am heart sick when I behold the wickedness of the wicked here…when others think me asleep I am in sweet communion with my God…we have no chaplain as yet…may the God of battle protect us…we had a long & weary march. Sigel's division…did not arrive in time to participate in the severe struggle at Fredericksburg…I trust that whether life or death shall come to me. I shall be found trusting in my Redeemer…". Raising to the rank of captain, Mickle served faithfully throughout the remainder of the war, being wounded at Gettysburg, and serving as a staff officer for Generals Howard, Hooker, and Sherman. The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG

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