Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 8pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Andrew H. Frame, 117th Company, 2nd battalion, Veteran's Reserve Corps, [formerly Co. A, 35th Mass. Vols.], "Lovell General Hospital, U. S. A., Portsmouth Grove, R. I., June 26, 1864," to his friend Mary Lucy Tenney of Byfield, Mass., in part: "…I am glad Mr. Walton…alright…he will make a good success while he remain there, but Sybil's husband…is not much [?] for at the present situation…the nation's never know what fighting was since Gen. Grant took command of the army…the country must suffer the consequences. Poor men there is here…on thousand [who] will never be able to earn their own bread. They are maimed for life. Some of them have both legs off and the right arm. They are dying every day, two on average. There is at present 2000 men here and there is another batch just now arriving of 1000…I am to work in its mess hall other word [our] dining room dealing out all the rations for the men…I do not work hard or don't mean to…I am getting 16 dollars per month. That is a great pay for a soldier…now few words regarding the Virginia Campaign in the earnestness with which the loyal people of this country are sustaining the war has been nothing…than the sobriety with which the great news of Grant's victory was received…the Army of the Potomac revealed a unity and unselfishness…a grave resolution to fight to the end…although Lee and his Rebels…stood upon ground which they have maintained for three long years…they were entrenched upon the Rapidan where they had defeated Pope. They were near Fredericksburg from which Burnside had been forced to retire. They were flanked by Chancellorsville where they has worsted Hooker. They had before them Gettysburg from which they had retreated in good order to recuperate and Antietam from which they were allowed to retire. Against such men…Gen. Grant is organizing his army and laid his plans. He knew the key of the military position. The defeat of Lee was the essential blow that must be struck and he has drove Lee within the defenses of Richmond and now Grant has cross the James river…may be he wants to siege as he did Vicksburg…we can not do it without a great lost of life. The country has suffered enough already. I have heard from my brother Frank…by a wounded man which belongs to N'port. He was…with the Corps Quarter master driving an ambulance…he [his] wife has gone west to her folks [and] have not [heard] weather she is to come bock or not. She went out to Maryland while the Regt was there. She saw him there and she told me Frank looks well…I am a soldier now. I don't own myself. Uncle Sam has got the biggest claim on me…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included…PLUS: a pre-war letter, 1p. 4to., written by Nannie Frame, Newburyport, [Mass.], May 18, 1858, addressed to Andrew that "…Emma died yesterday about half pas hour…". Overall VG to near fine.
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