Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A great war-date Union officer's letter, 7pp. 8vo, written by Chief of Artillery, 11th Corps. Lieut. William H. Mickle, "Office Chief of Artillery, 20th A. C., Lookout Valley, Tenn., April 17, 1864", to his wife concerning staff changes as a result of the consolidation of the 11th and 12th Corps and sad parting songs sung by black teamsters, in part: "…the Darkies are singing some religion songs & I can hardly write. It does my soul good to heard them so happy. I'll quote a couple of lines of a verse they are now singing. 'this good religion makes de man & you dispute it if you can' then comes a lovely chorus sung as none but they can…'I know dat my Redeemer libs. O how I wish you all could hear them singing…they are all sad because 'masser Mickle' is going to leave them for I am going with Major Reynolds on Genl Hooker's staff as acting assistant adjutant genl. The 11th & 12th Corps are consolidated into the 20th and it makes a great change among the staff officers. Genl Howard has gone to the 4th Corps also Major Osborne & Lieut. Freeman…I was ordered to report to Major Reynolds…I shall be glad to get rid of this property responsibility [acting quarter master while chief of artillery for the 11th Corps]…how sweetly the Darkeys are singing the piece called, 'I belong to the Union band'!…no signs of an immediate movement here…this dead calm betokens a mighty storm…God grant that it may result in good to the Nation…General Howard was a preacher of the Congregational Church…he gave me a testimonial of his appreciation of me…& offered me any assistance I needed…". Also included is the original stamped transmittal envelope. 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. Fine
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