Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
War-date Union soldier's letter, 3pp. 4to., written, on rare CAMP BENTON, ST. LOUIS stationery, by Corp. Samuel C. Kirkpatrick [WIA in the face at Port Gibson, Miss., 5/1/63], Co. E, 11th Wisc. Vols., Camp Wood, Polett [Potosi], Mo., Mar. 11, 1862, in part: "…we went to the election at Hillsboro last monday. The election went off very well. We went to the tavern and our orderly sergeant ordered dinner…the poles was closed at six o'clock and we shouldered our muskets and started for camp. Several of the boys [were] pretty well set up with bourbon…we named this camp after our lieutenant col. We came here to relieve some of the Illinois boys. We have 3 bridges to guard and a blockhouse at each…to build…our camp is near the railroad. There is quite a little town here but the folks was afraid to live here and they moved off and our boys have taken the houses for barracks. I would rather stay in the tent…the captain and 20 of us…went out on a scout…most of the folks that live here is French…the Cap. and lieutenants board at a French house about a half mile from camp…we came by the house where the captain boards and thought we would have supper…the French girls flew around and got us supper…after we had eat…we got up…and went in the other room…got out caps and started to the door when one of the men says, 'Boys I guess you had better pay…we told him that the captain would settle it…we bid him good knite…the Cap. went to breakfast…and the old Joker told him that 2 of his boys got supper…and said that you would pay for it. When the Cap. came beck to camp sayd he "Boys what 2 of you got super at Poletts last evening. No body new anything…well boys sum of you is getting purty sharp I think…the fifth Mo. is to relieve us in the morning…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Kirkpatrick's phonetic spelling has been corrected. VG.
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