Raynor HCA 2014-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Ezra Greene, Co. H, 2nd Rhode Island Vols., on patriotic stationery of the US Capitol, "Camp Sprague, [Washington], Aug. 1, 1861", in part: "I am very lonesome since Peleg is not in the mess as we was most always together but some are destined to die in every battle. I did not loose my watch or pistol…I should like to have a blue woolen shirt long as my cotton ones…they ask $1.25 for very thin poor shirt [here]…Professor Sweet walks the rope across the street in the city. He walked yesterday and the boys have run away to see him. No passes were given out…3 of our company are in the guard house today. The officers are beginning to be very strict here. Lieut. Colonel Frank Wheaton [future general] is in [Col.] Slocum's place [he was KIA Bull Run] but he is no more fit for the place than I am. He was captain in a company of regular cavalry. We are going to have a have a new first Lieut. His name is [John P.] Shaw [KIA Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864] from company F. He has now gone home to muster troops to fill the companies. There has been 2 provost marshals appointed in Washington to deprive the soldiers of having any liquor unless with a written order…the army officers say they mean to less[en] drunkenness in the streets. One can see drunken soldiers in every street at all times of the day…Peleg's things are to be sent home today. The war looks dark for our side…the secessionists are fortifying every point they now have…they have got Sewell's Point fortified with some very heavy artillery so that our vessels cannot go down the Potomac. Two war vessels are now being fitted out to blow that fortress in pieces. Professor [Sweet] got $143.62 for walking the rope yesterday. The accounts of the battle today are 50,000 federal against 30,000 rebel troops. The account…from a rebel officer that the day before the battle at Manassas rations were given out to 91,000 men…". VG
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