Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
A rare war-date Union paymasters letter, 8pp. 8vo., written by Paymaster's Clerk, George W. Fernald, formerly of the 82nd New York Volunteers who was wounded in the chest at Gettysburg, on "Pay Department, Department of the South" stationery, Hilton Head, S. C., Dec. 17, 1864, in part: "…we were chased by a suspicious looking craft on the second morning from New York. We had our decks cleared for action in case they overhauled us & should attempt to board us, we would give them a turn at fire arms before they captured us, but we out sailed her…we got clear clear of a fight which was agreeable to some of the passengers especially the ladies…Sherman has invested Savannah…his march from Atlanta to Savannah was poorly resisted by the Rebels. He only lost about 1000 men on the whole march. He has an army of about 60,000…they lived on the fat of the land…he captured about 60,000 head of cattle, 20,000 head of horses & mules & brought about 20,000 negroes…most of them will make good soldiers…most of our troops in this Dept. are negroes & they make good soldiers when officiated by competent officers. I am glad to hear they have caught some of the Rebels who tried to burn our city & hope they will make an example of them. We had…a tough case here…there was a negro here who whipped a boy 12 years old to death with a leather strap. The boy was his nephew who had been left with him by his father who is…in the army. The negro man is a member of the Methodist Church. He went home from prayer meeting & stripped his wife naked & whipped her very severely then he turned on the boy & whipped him four hours…when the boy died…the negro is in the Provo at present…the Devil must have been in the negro from head to foot for he was sober when he whipped the boy…& after he was dead the negro called in his neighbors & had a prayer meeting & wake over the boy…Major Elliott has gone to Sherman's army…I went to an army horse race…our course was on the sea beach…the horses are all kinds sick, lame & lazy. We start them all together. Some of the horse fall down. Some of the riders fall off & role in the sea but none get hurt. I bet on a poor horse & loose my bet…there was an old mule…which came out best, but we could not tell what time they made as there was not two watches in the crowd alike but I know my time was right…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Near fine
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