Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A good war-date Union officer's letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Capt. Samuel W. Hemenway, Co. B, 27th Iowa Vols., "Camp Defiance, Cairo, Ill., Nov. 16, 1862, in part: "…I was left at Boscobel a station 26 miles from Proine Du Chin where I got off the train to put off a sick man…there were 9 more of the boys left at P. D. C…at Centralia 100 miles from here I got my first sight of a Rebel. Nine prisoners were brought about the train. We have now some 5 or 6 hundred here awaiting an exchange. 150 come up the river last night who were taken at Holly Springs, Miss. I have a great many contrabands…about 500 here. I have not been up to see the prisoners in their quarters but have seen many passing to the river for water. They are not like northerners…& are dressed in all sorts of clothes. Preparations are going briskly forward here for the expedition [the Holly Springs Campaign] down the river. There are 5 large gun boats here that will be ready by the middle of next week besides there are 21 mortar boats, each having one mortar for 13 inch shells, lying idle here…5 regiments had passed here for Memphis…the 101st Ill. is here guarding the prisoners & if they go we will stay unless some new regt takes our place. This is a miserable hole and I would rather stay among the indians than stay here this winter." Unsigned, but the original stamped transmittal cover addressed to his sister is included inscribed, in full: "Miss. Emaline Hemenway, Lansing, Allamakie, Iowa." VG
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