2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Archive consisting of four letters written by John S. Koster, Co. "H", 21st Massachusetts Infantry, 13 pages, octavo, 1861 - 1875, various locations, to Chapin Warner, Bondsvillage, Massachusetts, and one past card, ca. 1900. A paper maker by trade, Koster enlisted as Corporal on August 5, 1861 and was promoted to Sergeant on October 23, 1862. His regiment suffered heavy losses during the war, seeing action in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. His letters read in small part: "(Annapolis, Maryland, 11/14/61)...I have not as yet seen much fighting though we ware whair thair are sesession to the heart but dare not show it out...(Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, 1/19/62)...Most of the troops were sea sick & I was among their number for over 60 hors & did not eat a mouthful...this is the roughest place on the Atlantic coast & the Rebbels had a good place hear to secret their stuff in...Burnside did not know whair he was a going...his orders are to go to Roanoke Iland & then to Wilmington on N Carolines shore...a Rebbel Gun boat came within sight of us...ours started out after her she soon went out of sight...(Annapolis, Maryland, 2/14/65)...the ball that went through my shoulder crippled me for a long time. I have not been able to carry anything on that shoulder yet...I should not be worth much at the front...(Ellershouse, Nova Scotia, 3/27/75)...I have been in this country since last Sept when I came here to start up these mills...We make paper of entire wood spruce & pine also some hemlock. mills cost $100,000...and expect to turn out 18 ton per week of Boards & paper..."...Plus; Postcard, KOSTER'S PULP MILL 1876, ca. 1900. Shown is a paper mill. On the verso is types "The old mill of 30 years ago built over twice by J.S. Koster & son". Some stains, else Fine condition overall.
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