Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. large folio, written by Corp. George P. Jarvis [WIA Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862], (signed G. P. Jarvis), Co. C, 3rd Ohio Vols., Huntsville, Ala., May 28, 1862, in part: "…today we heard that Richmond had been taken and tomorrow learn that the report is unfounded…when any news comes into camp is must be well authenticated or it is generally discredited. The proclamation of Gen. Hunter created some excitement in camp but that soon subsided on receipt of the president's proclamation refuting it. I should consider the course of Gen. H. immensely impolitic and should strenuously exact my endeavors against such a course. In fact…rather than peril my life by engaging in a war…solely for the emancipation of slaves. I would either desert…or seek…becoming a prisoner of war…when the report was first received some were foolish enough to think that the president would approve of the measure. Not so with myselfI felt confident that his accustomed firmness would not desert him in this emergency…the 18th [Ohio] Regt [is] a pretty hard…set of thieves and villains. If Lenora had known how Nathan Buck [Company C] obtained those things which he sent to Olivia she would never complained of me not sending her something. He obtained them by stealing them from a private residence in Bowling Green. At Athens, Ala they sacked the town with the sanction of their officers who even shared in the plunder. Private houses were entered and robbed of everything valuable and what could not be carried off was broken open and robed of money and papers…a certain Capt…Welch [Capt. Johnson M. Welch, Co., C, future major of the 18th] by name took the only two horses that a widow possessed and sold them although she begged him for…not to take her all…[they] then assigned as a reason for their conduct that the citizens had followed with theta Rebels when the 18th retreated…the citizens with but one or two exceptions…went out only as the population of any town would do to witness the fight. While the sacking…was going on Col. [John B.] Turchin [promoted brig. gen. 7/17/62] who has command of that Brigade said to Col. [Timothy R.] Stanley [future BBG] of the 18th 'Col. this is no place for us. The boys are doing very well.'…". VG
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