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. 4to., written by Pvt. Benjamin A. Merrill, Co. K, 50th Mass. Vols. [KIA as Corp., 59th Mass. Vols., battle of Spotsylvania C. H., Va., May 12, 1864], Baton Rouge, La., April 1, 1863 to his friend Dave, in part: "…I have been 15 mies further up the river…to Port Hudson…I could here their drum's beat and should have gone further…but they destroyed the levee and flooded the country around. We captured lots of Negro's and meny thousand dollars worth of property and have got back safe…our chances are 10 to 1 in getting home next month to [be]come General Bank's body guard. He wants the band and as our regiment is going home about the time…April 2nd. Lieut. Col. [John W.] Lock[e] with 3 companies has just come [to] the regiment with [the] band to secret them up……give me the ni**rs for the Soldiers…Uncle Ben Oldships is deserted once more. What does John Morse think of the draft. He wont run will he. I hope not. I hope he will get drafted…a man [Henry B. Wellman] from Co. E died last night out of the Hospital very sudden. He laid down on the floor…to sleep as they supposed and when they went to him with his supper he was dead. he will be buried this afternoon. Thomas Black's cousin has been buryed 4 days…I will tell you what I think of Slavery, it is just what I thought it was…tell them what…I think of slavery…". The original "DUE 3" transmittal cover, endorsed by Chaplain Robert Hassall, 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.