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. 8vo., 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., Feb. 16, 1863 to his friend Dave, in part: "…we are no account down here. We are sick most of the time…last week out of 350 men all we could get out for Brigade drill was 60 men…many of the men look like ghosts. We are situated in a splendid place…in front of the state prison and it is larger than the Mass…we are right in the heart of Rebledom…you ought to see the ironclad Essex which is laying out front of the city…they [Rebels] are poorly clad and not much to eat…every prisoner…I have seen, looks as though he had seen hard service. Our cavalry went out with a flag of truce the other day and the pickets were dressed in citizens dress. There are plenty of Rebels here in the city but they don't say much; some of them have husbands and friends in the Rebel army. They don't say much for their are too meny soldiers here. They are some of the prettiest girls…that you ever seen, but they don't come up to the G-G-…". The original "DUE 3" transmittal cover, endorsed by Chaplain Robert Hassall, is included. VG
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