Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Andrew H. Frame, Co. A, 35th Mass. Vols., "Newport News, Virginia, Eight miles from Fortress Monroe, Mar. 12, 1863," to his friend Mary Lucy Tenney of Byfield, Mass., in part: "…the quarters we had was not fit for the hogs…it was owing to our officers. As long as they made themselves comfortable it was all right for them…thank god our Col. [Sumner Carruth, WIA Fair Oaks & Antietam; POW White Sulphur Springs, Va., 11/14/62 paroled 2/21/63; promoted bvt. brig. gen.] has got back. [He is a] man of moral character. He thinks as much of privates as he does an officer. The boys…noticed the difference already…Newport News…is a beautiful place…standing and [is] the bank of…Hampton Roads…look on the surface of the Roads and take a glimpse at those beautiful gun boats such as the Galena, Ironside and three monitors and great many others. It would make you shiver to look at their long guns…and see the Marines go through their practice …I do not feel like going into anymore battles…I do not wish for better fun. My courage has left me entirely. I have lost 20 lbs of flesh…this last fortnight…Frank [A. Frame] came down…he says he is going to send you a lock of Jeff Davis' hair or Gen. Lee's. Our gunboats had a battle with the rebel gun [boats] up the James river…you said in your letter that…I shall be an old bachelor…for Abby Cutter is married. I think I can get one out here. It is a Black one. She is my washing woman. She is just as Black as nine [or] ten o'clock at night [with] lips as thick as two of my and a pig nose. With that give my love to your father & mother…". Andrew then continues a rather lurid two page letter to Lucy's sister, Julie, reading, in small part: "…do you remember the time Bill Bailey [Pvt. William B. Bailey, Co. D enlisted with occupation as shoemaker] tore off our dress leaving home with you. He was barefooted and his great was about three inches long. He has done well. He has got a whole team now. He can do all the finishing himself…you you remember the time we went maying and go down the railroad nutting…write soon I want you to tell some of the girls to have mercy on me. I don't want then to all get married. Tell them to wait for me…". A bit light, else overall VG
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