Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
Union officer's letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Capt. Robert H. Crist (1829-1912), Co. L, 1st Indiana Hvy. Artillery, Mobile, Ala., June 9, 1865. On May 29, 1865 Johnson proclaimed amnesty for any Confederate who took the oath of allegiance, but many classes of officials, military leaders, and property owners are excluded. This letter mentions the soldier's reaction to that proclamation and is one of the very few we have ever encountered in the market place, reading, in part: "…as we are the only artillery organization in this Dept. I think they will hold on to us till affairs are settled. There is a great deal of hatred against the slaves or free darkie and colored soldiers. This country will have to be regulated for some time…we are still in the heart of the rebellion. Mobile is very quiet and may well be with so many troops here. There is considerable excitement in camp some days…some betting done and whiskey drank…yellow fever is reported here and cholera at New Orleans…we are feeling pretty good over President Johnson's Amnesty Proclamation. It has cooled off a great many here who were holding their head up. It will go for lots of these rebel shodyites Jews etc. It seems as though it was necessary to remove Lincoln in order to effectually end this affair. The ways of the Almighty are strange. The South admits they lost their best friend when Lincoln died-that $20,000 will make many of them squirm. I am sorry for some…who will have to suffer by it but would not have the clause changed…". The original transmittal cover is also included. VG.
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