Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A wonderful war-date Union officer's, 4pp. folio plus 2pp. 12mo., written by 1st Lt. Nathaniel Henry Talbot, Co. B, 58th Mass. Vols., "Camp of the 58th Mass. Vols., Near Alexandria, Va., May 26, 1865", in small part: "…you will want to hear about the Grand review…we started from our camp Monday morning about 6 o'clock and marched through Alexandria for Washington…the roads were very muddy whilst passing through Alexandria I saw Mrs. Downs at a window…after the review I went up to Washington…Washington is about ten miles from camp. We reached the city about 1 o'clock PM [and] marched up past the Capitol about a mile and went into camp…as the line was to be formed at 6 o'clock we did not have time for any breakfast…went out into the street and formed the column and waited there till about 10…before we moved on. When we neared the Capitol we marched in quick time all the rest of the way. At the Capitol the schools of the city were all formed on the steps…it was the prettiest sight of the day. They all had flowers & most of the girls were dressed in white. They cheered us when we passed. The streets were lined on each side and…windows of the houses were filled. At the Treasury building was a large stand filled with men, women & children…they struck up singing, "we will hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree'…we cheered them…at the reviewing stand we cheered again…the Massachusetts stand [was] filled…we marched on to Georgetown and crossed the Potomac on a pontoon bridge laid for the purpose…and on through Arlington…once the home of the reb general Lee…now it is the property of Uncle Samuel…he has used a part of it to bury those who have died in his service. It is a beautiful place…we marched very fast back to camp…there was a great deal of straggling…I went on officer of the guard…had 3 prisoners. One of them bruised his gun all up, spoiled it so as to get rid of going on review. He was kept on his feet all the time…the other two got drunk and got to fighting…we tied them together…I…had a fine chance to see President Johnson, Gen. Grant and all the distinguished men…now comes the dissolution of the Grand Army of the United States…". Perhaps one of the best Grand Review letters we have ever offered! VG
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