Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A great war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Robert H. Crist (1829-1912), Co. F, 21st Indiana Vols., [later captain 1st Ind. Hvy. Artillery], "Camp Butler, Newport News, Va., March 1, 1862", in part: "…there are 9 regts here, 4 western…4th Wisconsin, 6th Mich, 20th & 21st Ind…we laid in Baltimore till we had piled up the beef bones so that we needed no more entrenchments…we are to go off on the Old Ship Constitution. There will be some 10 or 12 days sail. Oh, what a chance there'l be for louses. Ugh. I can feel them crawl while I think of it. I have seen some hard looking sights by looking into some of Bank's rooms & tents…Gen. Wool & staff went up the (James) River with a flag of truce. There are quite a number of truce flags, passes from Fort Monroe & Craney Island. The flags are in plain sight of our boats passing back & forth to Ft. Monroe. The health of our Regt is very good. We left quite a number of sick in Baltimore. The Belles of Baltimore has sent more of the 21st home than any other sickness. Tis a disgrace to the state of Ind. We have some of them along as wash women. They think they belong to the 21st. 2 of them are married to members of the 21st. 2 are not. No difference-so goes the world…the boys are somewhat excited…about being on picket guard. Some 2 miles off the Secesh pickets are in sight…but they do not shoot at one another…". The original transmittal cover is also 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.