Reenlisting To "See The Country Through This Trouble."

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015

War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Sgt. H. Arthur White [WIA Drewry's Bluff, Va., 5/16/64], Co. H., 25th Mass. Vols., Camp Upton, Newport News, Va., Jan. 31, 1864, in part: "…Father had arrived here…he missed the boat at Baltimore…for my part I was determined not to reenlist until I could see what your wishes were…[I] held out after all the men either reenlisted or been sent away. Out of 56 men in my company 46 reenlisted. I am the only non commissioned officer present…the men who have not are near Williamsburg…I should like very much indeed to see the country through this trouble…we all except a very active campaign this spring and if successful which I pray God will grant…this autumn I can leave the service with the satisfaction of feeling that I am not needed in it. The officers want me to remain…we had the good fortune…to miss the boat that was to take us to Fort Monroe…got passage on a tug boat belonging to the telegraph corps…went to the frigate Minnesota and from there to the ironclad Roanoke where Father had…of being invited on board to examine the vessel…on arriving there [Norfolk were] put up at the Atlantic House…Saturday we spent in visiting Portsmouth, Gosport Navy Yard or rather the ruins of the yard…your affectionate son, H. Arthur White, Co. H 25th Regt. Mass. Vols…". The original transmittal cover is included. VG

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