Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Frederick C. Hale (signed Fred), Co. F, 118th New York, "Camp near Fort Ethan Allen, Va., Nov. 5, 1862," in part: "…there were some of [future BBG John] Hammond's cavalry company [Co. H, 5th New York Cavalry] here…one of them wanted to stay so I rode his horse to their camp which is about seven miles from here as I thought I would go to Alexandria and…find Walter…I staid over night with Ed. Mac Mannus [Pvt. Edward McMannus, POW at ???] Kate's brother…in the morning…[Elbert E.] Hanchett & myself went down to Alexandria. Ed let me take his horse. [We] went all over town inquiring after the 3d Army Corps Hospital where Wally was…I went to the Provost Marshall's and to 3 or 4 hospitals and at last went to the General Hosp. where I saw one of the 38th & inquired after him. He told me to go on…to the Fairfax St. Hosp…& to inquire after…McCann who perhaps knew something about him….he said he knew nothing about him…who should it be but Walter himself looking thin but much better than I expected to find him. He is so that he can walk around some & go outdoors…I found…[the] son of Ranson Calkins in the same Hosp. acting as nurse…the printing office is in the same building (a rather dingy looking [place]…some of us…are preparing winter quarters. They build a log pen about three feet high and then stretch the tent over it for a roof. Some are building chimneys & fire places and some are going to get a small store…the chinks we plaster up with mortar made of 'Virginia mud'. The hospital where Walter was looked as good that I almost wanted to stay. There are iron bedsteads with mattress, white sheets, pillow case & counter pan and a fire place with a bright coal fire in it. It looked some like home…". VG
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