Gettysburg POW Seeks Amnesty

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013

A rare war-date Confederate POW letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Samuel C. Sorensen Co. A, 7th Louisiana Vols., Harry Hay's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, David's Island, [New York Harbor], July 29, 1863 requesting help from Col. J. Frederick Pierson, 1st New York Vols. [future brevet brigadier general] in helping him to stay North without taking the oath of allegiance. Sorenson was banking on Pierson being sympathetic to his cause since it was Sorenson himself who was once Pierson's captor! Luckily for him, Pierson must have helped somewhat as Sorenson was exchanged shortly after this letter was written, but instead of being allowed to stay north he was sent to Richmond. _ Through Surgeon John Howe he writes Col. Pierson the following letter, in part: "Dear Sir, Do not think me presumptions in forcing myself under your notice. I am at a lose what do to and…appeal to you for advise. First let me try to make myself known. Perhaps you remember the Louisianan that was on the starvation march with you from Manassas to the Rapidan. I am that honorable individual. I have no desire to return to Richmond, but would rather do so then be subjected to draft in the Federal service. Fight against the south I never can. If I could get permission to work at my trade (with taking the oath of allegiance) I would leave the country as soon as I could get the means to pay my way. The name deserter is horrible indeed to a sensitive heart…under present circumstances. There is poor prospects for the South and should I be so unfortunate to loose a limb. Where! Could I look for subsistence? I have no relatives on this Continent whatever. I was taken prisoner at Fredericksburg May 4th and returned again. At Gettysburg on the 2nd inst I received a flesh wound in the right leg…I feel confident you will answer me to the best of your ability…". _ Having received the letter Howe forwarded it to Col. Pierson adding, in part: "Dear Fred, The writer of this note introduced himself to me this morning a one of the guards who took you to the Rapidan after your capture at Bristoe's Station. He wants to get out of the rebel service and stay North, but having certain Scruples about deserting, taking the oath, etc he wants your advise. He is now a patient at this hospital having received a flesh wound of the leg at Gettysburg. He is a Dane-is intelligent and is heartily tired of the Confederate Service…". _ Sorenson apparently, played both Howe and Pierson as fools since he presented himself as a foreigner, which he was not. He also stated he had no family "on the Continent", but he must have since he was born in New York in 1836 and was a resident of New Orleans when the war began. Desertion was also an option to get out of the Rebel army since as soon as he was paroled at Richmond he shows as continually being absent without leave. Overall VG and a great piece of Gettysburg history!

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