Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
The 1st Maine Light Artillery Sail South A lengthy, yet incomplete, war-date Union officer's' letter, 28pp., 8vo, written by 2nd Lt. J. Frank Godfrey, 1st Maine Light Artillery, "Ship Island, Miss, March 18th, 1862," reading, in part: "...Recruiting was dull work, those who had any interest in the war went when it first broke out…those who now enlist as privates, are not all such as we would wish to look upon as patriots, or care to think about as heroes. I left Augusta my commission in my pocket and five valiant recruits rather out at the elbows to be sure…for Lowell, where I had orders to report to Capt. Thompson of the First Me. Battery…the tattered appearance of my squad naturally attracted attention, from the loafers who were collected at the corners of the streets through which we passed and who showed their admiration for us, by horse laughs, and slang jokes, such as 'here comes a show,' and 'they'll give the rebels fits" and a great many more mirthful expressions….I finally seated my ununiformed brothers, in the gentlemen's room at the Lowell depot. Camp Chase is surrounded by a very high fence…there were six field pieces four of which were rifled steel six pounders, one brass ditto and one smooth bore brass six pounder…I introduced to several of the noncommissioned officers one of whom Sergeant Lufkin a tall distinguished looking man…I soon found he had been a traveler and he having lived a long time in Mexico and California could talk Spanish a little…Such is Lufkin, and I have a sort of presentiment, that he and I will go through considerable together, before we leave the battery…we have several who have served in the Mexican war, others who were in Kansas…when Lieut. Bradbury introduced me to the Battery they gave me three cheers…The ship Idaho hauled alongside Commercial wharf and our battery followed by a Vermont and Mass. Battery and a company of Infantry…passed down the main hatchway…The soldier's life was already beginning to change its hue, the glitter and pomp of war, the soul stirring music, and the many kinds of excitement which makes young blood quicken, and young hearts grow bold, were not to be found with us, a boisterous profane herd, grumbling for things they could not get…I wonder if this…is to be my last voyage, and hope that if it is, it may be ended on a red field, and not by disease, the ever hanging shadow which haunts an army in the field…" Some minor stains on the last page, else fine condition.
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