Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
A great war-date Union soldier's letter, 3pp. 8vo., written on 7th N. H. Regimental stationery, by Pvt. Everett W. Miner, Co. C, 7th New Hampshire Vols., "Fort Jefferson, [Dry Tortugas, Florida], March 4, 1862," in part: "…we have got into the fort. It is a very pleasant place. The fort covers the whole island…[and] is not near done now & it has been 20 years and probably will take 2 or 3 years to complete…there is 300 men to work upon it all of the time. They are hired by the U. S. There is a hundred negroes here. The fort is garrisoned by 3 Cos of Billy Wilson Zouaves [6th New York] & one Co. of Regulars…the barracks are all filled up so we had to pitch our tents on the ground. The walls of the fort are three quarters of a mile around. Inside of the walls are cattle so you see we have fresh meat…there is trees here. Flowers…are in bloom…the yard is all filled with lumber, gun carriages, cannon balls etc…there is 5 or 6 families that live in the fort…the Mallory [the ship carrying the other half of the 7th] has not got in yet. We fear she is lost or betrayed to the Rebels by her crew…we shall have plenty of turtles. We can get oranges here for 3 to 5 cts…very nice vessels are coming in all of the time…the Lieuts have a tent by themselves so we are not crowded…our water is very poor. It is made out of salt water in a condenser. It is got into steam & that separates the slat from the fresh & then got into water again…". Also included is the original patriotic transmittal cover addressed to Everett's brother. Near fine
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