Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 3pp. 4to. & oblong 8vo., written by Pvt. Robert H. Crist (1829-1912), Co. F, 21st Indiana Vols., [later captain 1st Ind. Hvy. Artillery], [Baton Rouge, La.], Jan. 22, 1864, in part: "…I came around by the wharf and there was a steamer just unloading troops (23rd Wis. Regt)…I came up through the camps. I found everybody drunk…all bound to keep New Years…Father…suppose you happen into camp and see 7/10 of officers & men drunk, spitting & sobbing, swearing, smoking. Some wanting to fight? Other drunk men trying to reason the case. All talking at once like so many women. Half the crowd dead drunk lying…in the sand, good cloths all tobacco spit & sand. Nobody caring for nobody…officers who you are taught to respect too drunk to vomit…all because they 'are in the army.'…you would sicken at the sight…you would say like Banks (Let the Union slide.)…tomorrow the infantry…is to furnish 500 men to throw up breastworks for our guns…as to getting any Darkees up there [it] would be impossible as they are putting all on plantations that do not enlist as soldiers. There is a nigger Regt from R. Island across the Bayou on the Island. Quartermasters can hardly get colored men enough for drivers, cooks are scarce…Mr. Chittenden is Sanitary agent and form him we…Recd about 10 hhl potatoes, the first Sanitary goods any of the Regt ever received…". The original stamped transmittal cover is also included. Near fine.
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