Mock Cavalry Fighting in a “Damned Guerrilla Regiment”

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

War-date Union soldier’s ink inscribed 4pp. folio, letter written by Pvt. John Nash, Co. C, 11th New York (Scott’s 900) Cavalry Washington, Jan. 25, 63 discussing getting along finely with Secessionist citizens, wanting to be captured by the enemy, and of a mock cavalry fight during which some men and horses were injured, in small part: …our company was at Poolesville, Md…we all carried on so [?] with the secesh inhabitants that our Colonel saw fit to remove us…three companies under Major Kenyon…relieved us…I was reduced to the ranks by our Colonel on…charge of having missed tattoo roll call…I suffered the penalty…I have been promised the place again by our Captain but not by the Colonel…I am bent on getting out of the Regiment at all hazards…three Companies [are] now in camp…with the portion of L…which was not captured at Pooleeville…that portion captured has been sent to the Paroled prisoners Camp at Annapolis…I wish our Company had been captured…as I would like no better…than to be in the Paroled Camp…however…I should not like to have been told to take off my overcoat and give it to a Rebel Private nor…my horse marched off with them…as I think too much of him…at Pooleville we had a sham battle with the 10th Mass. Battery…our cavalry took every piece…twice…blank cartridges were fired…our horses stood the fire nobly after one or two discharges…one of the battery men was badly burned all over his breast and shoulders and…Dyer…foolishly rushed up to a cannon…both himself and horse were badly burned…he was compelled to remain behind in the hospital…the hair on one side of the horse was completely burned off…today…all the tent are thrown open while many of the boys are out trotting their horses for exercise…this morning we had a mounted inspection with saddles all packed…Duane has an offer of $700 per year to go to Newbern in some Commissary business…go by all means. Were I out of this damn Guerila Regiment…I should accept it…”. Nash remained with his “damned” regiment throughout the remainder of the Civil War being discharged in Dec. 1864 as quartermaster sergeant. Some light soiling, and spotting, else very good.

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