Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Pvt. Robert H. Crist (1829-1912), Co. F, 21st Indiana Vols., [later captain 1st Ind. Hvy. Artillery], "Alabama Cotton Press, New Orleans, June 18, 1863, in part: "…our forces are still before Port Hudson. They had a severe fight there Sunday morning but were repulsed. Our forces bombarded them for some days. They seldom replied until our forces charged on the works when they brot everything to bear on us as the passages were narrow their guns did great execution. Our forces are still holding on, bound to take it before they quit. It is awful to see the wounded come down…many Union citizens are doing all they can for them. Most of the rabid Secession element has left. The town is very quiet and thus far healthy…the Alabama Cotton Press is about a mile from the heart of the city up the river. The city including Jefferson City extends 2 miles farther…we are just between the aristocratic portion and the working, renting, class…where the women wear shoes and those who go barefoot. We are on the main street of the city…Tehoupitoulas St. About every 25 feet around the building is a large door for rolling cotton in and out and to get air…my desk & table stands in front of one…it is generally believed that a woman cannot insult a soldier unless she says something against the Government, the flag or his blue cloths…it is surprising that we have a call from the fair sex. Some to get acquainted, some to enquire after some (friend)…some the beg dinner (to buy whiskey)…an old woman occasionally stops to get something to eat. Our reply generally is a shake of the head not thinking it worth while to spent breath replying, but who ever got rid of an old woman…she always has 3 or 4 orphan children and nothing to eat…she finally said that since we (the Yankees) had come here they cloud get nothing…I told her we did not come here to feed them but to fight them…I told her they must look out for themselves…another came along…I asked her if they sold whiskey up there (she was tight) [drunk] she…suggested that the bar was kept below. I told her the Confederates had engaged all the rooms down there…she was Secesh. So is every woman that drinks here…she then began to quote Byron, and Burns-comparing me to Byron, being a Ladies man because I had blue eye. (I have been abused for having blue eyes)…I never was taught to respect a drunken man or woman…on the inside of my door…I have posted a $50 Confederate bill, also a malainotype…of some woman…and underneath in large hand=Two irredeemable Confederate Curse=…a great many stop to read and a great many to comment, some to quarrel. The women are rather indignant as most of them…have husbands, sons, fathers & brothers in the Confederate Army…we see very few men. Stores…are mostly kept by women…children are very plenty, ragged and dirty. The children play on the sidewalk because it is cleaner than the backyard and tis cooler…dwelling houses here like Philadelphia are mostly built up to the street…after night the blinds must be kept closed or no light in the front homes. It looks a little singular to see people sitting in a dark room, window open, but such are the fates of a city life New Orleans for a house with windows open and lights burning a soldier…would readily take for a house of=refuge= and walk in to learn his mistake to no small embarrassment of the inmates…New Orleans soldiers & citizens are becoming demoralized every day…". The original transmittal cover is also included. Much more interesting commentary! VG
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