Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
War-date Union soldier's letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by Sgt. Gustavus B. Williams (signed your husband G.), Co. K, 51st Mass. Vols., Newbern, N. C., Dec. 25, 1862, in part: "…it is a strange Christmas. I have sat in the open air on the wood pile…with no overcoat and would have been comfortable in the shade…I lost one pr. of my stockings on the march by once unfastening my belt…in a hurry…the Co. is pretty lean, but as soldiers do very well, are pretty prompt and do their duty as they cant get rum. The Capt. [Daniel W. Kimball] will be welcome to some…the men are much against him now. A colored woman does my washing and my clothes are in…good order…I don't feel the town [Worcester, Mass.] had any claim on me but the U. S. holds me now…I can not get a discharge because I was deceived into enlisting…the state aid gives me some concern…I am again almost overwhelmed while thinking of the sad present-Alone in a North Carolina forest…hiding unknown dangers and horrors…". Also included is the letter's original soldier art drawn by Gustavus for his wife showing two portraits of men. One is entitled: "Hen Pecked." while the other is entitled: "Her Pecker."
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