Ezra Greene Becomes A Gunner On Board The Ironclad USS Cincinnati.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/30/2014

A good war-date Union sailor's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Ezra Greene, (former private 2nd Rhode Island Vols. who transferred to the Brown Water navy), "On Board the Gun Boat Cincinnati, Iron Clad, Cairo, Ill., Feb. 22, 1862", written to 2nd Rhode Island comrade Pvt. Russell Gardiner, in part: "…I have arrived at our destination in safety…went on board the receiving ship Maria Dennings, a large Mississippi stern wheel steamer…we were divided into squads to man the different gunboats. Couch's brigade is all on the ironclad flag gun boat Cincinnati…she was in the battle at fort Henry and had her wheel all shot to pieces…one man was killed…and 4 wounded. These iron clad gun boats have 1 stern wheel…2 engines and 2 rudders and mount 13 guns, 4 42 pounders, 9 68 pounders…I am one of the gunners 2nd loader on one of the 42 pound guns…there is but one of our Regmt in my mess, but several of the brigade in it. We have our rations of whiskey 2 a day…1 gill at a time. We have to walk up to the cask as our name is called. We passed 2 trains of rebel prisoners on the Ill. Central rail road…they look like a degraded sett…most of them do not appear to know what good manners is…as the train moved off one of them spit in the face of one of our men…I would have shot him dead…yesterday…a steamer came in from fort Donelson loaded with rebel prisoners. One of them was a doctor. He was a clever fellow. Some of the prisoners…said they had been deceived, others said they had been pressed…General Johnston…and several other officers was in the hind car…Russell, I wish you was here…it is very hard work drilling on these guns. They have to be run in and out with 2 double block tackles and 12 men to each gun…". Unsigned, but complete and written over in peered ink. Also, included is a 3pp. 8vo., letter written by Greene while a private in the 2nd Rhode Island written from Camp Sprague, Washington, D. C. in December 1861 concerning building a fort near the Nation's capitol who undoubtedly become part of that city's defenses. Both VG to near fine.

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