Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 6pp. 8vo., written, on patriotic 25th Mass. Vols. stationery, by Corp. H. Arthur White [WIA Drewry's Bluff, Va., 5/16/64], Co. H., 25th Mass. Vols., Newberne, N. C., June 4, 1862, concerning his dislike or rather mistrust in Lincoln's newly appointed North Carolina Governor Edward Stanley who was placed in charge of Eastern North Carolina, with the rank of brigadier general, by the optimistic president. In less than a year Stanley resigned over a dispute with Lincoln concerning the Emancipation Proclamation, in part: "…we heard of the retreat of Genl. Banks…we are half inclined to think that it was a contrived plan…how was the feeling of the Leicester people when the Gov. called for more men. I fear there is not much patriotism in some of the people…they must not growl about their taxes…we had a grand review…of the First Division…under Genl. Foster. We were reviewed by Genl. Burnside, Governor Stanley, Genl. Reno and a number of the big bugs. The 25th Regt. never did better…Col. Upton was very much pleased with us and thanked us…Genl. Reno's division was reviewed Saturday. These reviews were in honor of Gov. Stanley the old___ I will not say what…if he wants us to help return his niggers. He will find the 25th Mass. are not slave drivers. He has broken up the school we had on starting. We are down on him. If it was for any crime which we had done then it would have been different but for teaching those poor men and women, some of whom came six…miles to attend it shows that he is trying to [re]establish the abominable state of things which we have…broken up…he would grind the face of the poor and keep them under. The poor whites are the most miserable of them all. I had one of them in my class…there is a fearful retribution in store for these oppressors…I want to see this thing cleared out…I will spend my whole life in the army before I will back out with the work half done. I want to see freedom established through the length and breadth of this land…your aft. son, H. Arthur White…". The original transmittal cover is included. Light toning, else VG
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