Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 5pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Robert H. Crist (1829-1912), Co. F, 1st Ind. Hvy. Artillery, Alabama Cotton Press, New Orleans, La., May 31, 1863, in part: "…our Regt. is all gone from here except about 6 or 8 of us Co. F at Brashear…the rest are besieging Port Hudson…New Orleans is very dull. Some 5000 or more registered enemies have left…this month. There are but few soldiers here…what few people…remain [are] very quiet. No liquor sold after 9 o'clock…the police have little to do…Port Hudson has been the scene of strife for several days. A great many wounded have been brought down and reinforcements sent up. The troops off the Teche have been withdrawn and sent up to Port Hudson. They are having bloody time up there. A great many federal officers are killed and wounded. General Sherman of the celebrated Sherman Battery is badly wounded in the leg. Col. Clark of the 6th Mich wounded, 2 men in our regt killed a few wounded. Some Regts suffered severely. The 48th Mass., a nine month Regt run. The rebs threw shot pieces of R. R. iron, which made sad havoc among our men. The newspapers are mute not being allowed to publish anything in regard to P. H…60 prisoners went by. They look well, but rough, cotton clothing, once white, many of them barefooted. Prisoners are mostly kept in Algiers across the river…P. H. must fall and when it does Vicksburg must follow…there is a powerful army gathered about there with an immense quantity of artillery as well as the fleet under Porter & Farragut. Farragut was here a short time ago and the Union people turned out and gave him big reception…I did intend sending you a rebel paper printed on the back of wallpaper, but they are all gobbled up readily. I have a few…secesh momentoes amongst them 2 new Eagle dollars, some Pelican buttons…I have a music book left in my care that belonged to Miss. Emma Moore, Governor Moor's daughter…[June 2]…our army is still besieging Port Hudson. The weather is very hot bod on wounded men and men in the field where water is scarce. We use river water here . It is very good after it settles…I am glad they have sent Vallandigham South and hope they will send thousands more in a few months…". Also included is a piece of coarse butternut fabric. Not mentioned in the letter, but most likely an example of Confederate cloth! Near fine.
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