Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
A great war-date Union officer's, 4pp. 8vo., 2nd Lt. Christopher Pennell, Co. I, 19th United states Colored Troops, [KIA Battle of the Crater, Va., July 30, 1864], Snowhill, Md., Feb. 13, [1864], in part: "…they have called in all the 7th [USCT] & 9th [USCT] fellows…The 1st Lieut. [George C.] Potwin…was a corporal in my old Regt. the 34th Mass…I didn't know he had applied. I have, thus far, 13 recruits. More will come in slowly. I occupy my time with wiring, reading regulations…drilling the men…[I] am getting the men pretty well drilled in the manual. They are all young, fat & lazy and appear to be perfectly happy. Today they have spent in washing clothes, polishing equipment brasses & shoes & sweeping out the church…for tomorrow…the efforts of some of them to saw off their grizzly beards with a horrible dull razor were perfectly excruciating. But they have their reward, for…all the girls black & 'yaller' from the country…make their devotions at the same place and do not they acquiesce in attempted flirtations on the part of ye gallant soldier boys…Corp. [George] Riley is a perfect trump. He is better fitted for orderly than [Edward] Morris is. I have only to indicate…what I want and it is sure to be done. You should see the lofty bearing men as they go up & down the streets. I never allow them in the village but with their dress coats and scales & side arms…they seem to feel an awful amount of dignity, standing as stiff & straight…as if a rail was stuff up their back…don't the Secesh look daggers…I have had no trouble with anyone so far. I act politely to all-appearing to trust all while I really trust nobody. I always have my own way taking no advise from anyone. If they salute me first…I notice them, otherwise not…I consider myself…superior to any Copperhead…George is developing rapidly & I hope to make something of him yet…". Near fine.
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