Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 3pp. 8vo., written, on "U. S. Christian Commission" stationery, by Sgt. Major Moses M. Ordway, 40th Mass. Vols., White House [Landing], Va., Mar. 20, 1865 to his brother, in part: "…Sheridan crossed the river yesterday morning. His cavalry looks hard, the hardest looking yet…many of their horses are near skeletons. The men look well in flesh although terrible ragged. Some have got on Rebel clothing and some citizen. They tell big stories about the Valley. About 2000 Niggers are following Sheridan men, women & children. Many of the women when they started had little babies and after traveling a few days could not carry them so through them into the canal like kittens. That is a fact. The soldiers are after the wenches terribly…last night…I saw squads of a dozen who would have but one woman among them. They would make a ring and make them dance & put them in a blanket and twenty or thirty stout fellows would toss them up in the air. The poor wenches will have nothing but white babies for the next ten years…I have found out some interesting facts connected with White House [Landing.] The White House itself is where Mrs. Custis lived who was afterwards Washington's wife. The house where he first met her still stands. It is old style and built of imported bricks. An old negro points out the identical tree that Washington courted [her] under, stands near the house…St. Petersburg Church where he was married is about three miles from here. This is the greatest place for ducks…but they wont let us shoot them…". The original "U. S. Christian Commission" transmittal cover is included. VG
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.