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 5, 1863 to his friend Dave, in part: "…Mit Jewett [Milton Jewett] is dead; he died night before last and was buryed…Mr. Spaulding attended the funeral of the 48th Mass. Reg. Mit was taken sick up the river and came down with Byron. He had the Typhoid fever and then his head and face swelled. He had a sore broke in his right ear. The morning before he died Father told me…he thought there was kno doubt…he would get over it. This is the 4 one that has died out of our company…we went out the other morning 5 miles and destroyed a bridge, drove in the Rebel pickets, destroyed the bridge and returned without the shedding of Blood on our side…Byron [J. Merrill] & Rich [Richmond d. Merrill, DOD 6/28/63] Coleman [P. Merrill] have gone out today suppose they will be in before night sick, as usual. When on guard…they don't amount to ) [and are] a nuiscence to the government. They can…drink and lay round but when it comes to duty I am sick. Let this go no further than you…I was on picket in a grave yard last nigh. The mosquitoes liked to have carried me off…". The original "DUE 3" transmittal cover, endorsed by Chaplain Robert Hassall, is included. VG
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