Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 2pp. written on the lower half of a pre-printed U. S. Military document measuring approx. 16" X 7 1/2", by Sgt. Major Marquis L. Holt (signed M. L. Holt), Co. E, 3rd New Hampshire Vols.,Wilmington, N. C., Mar. 21, 1865, in part: "…last Sabbath…we went to the Presbeterian house which is one of the best in the city…the attendance of the city people was rather small but with…officers and soldiers, both of the army and navy…it filled the house…the preaching was good…we went down to the Baptist, Mr. Young's Church. This house in New England would be condemned…but it does well enough here…Mr. Young is a very good speaker…it seemed as though I had got home and was once more in a land of civilization…today we received the news of the capture of Kingston, N. C. by Genl. Schofield. Refugees are continually arriving from the different armies who have been following them…through the country. Nothing but our brigade remains around the city , Terry haven taken the remainder of his troops and struck out…for Goldsboro…this morning [went] with Ned and others…[to] the theater…witnessed the great play…'Hidden Hand'…I do not approve of such places of amusement…everything is getting a little more settled here in the city…Ned is…at work loading cotton for transportation north. A large amount of cotton and tobacco has been found in the city…there was a large quanity of Virginia tobacco stored here for transportation to foreign ports through the blockade…at this time the city is decorated by the blossoming of fruit trees……O'how often does my blood run cold to hear men boosting of what they had done and to what a depth of degradation they had plunged themselves…nothing of interest occurred…expecting my having a tooth pulled…a party of refugees arrived in town today from Sherman's army. They came by land from Fayettevillle escorted by a party of soldiers. The distance…is 125 miles by water and about 80 by land, so they had quite a march. O'could you see some of these homeless ones you would…realize something of the fruits of war, Blacks and Whites, all together, traveling day after day, exposed to sun and rain, seeking a place where they can have food and safety…thanks be to God that this war is not being enacted upon the soil of Happy New England…the hand of retribution is dealing out to the deluded South, punishment for their crimes and making them to see the evil of the their war…". VG
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