2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
A great war-date ink inscribed Union soldier’s 4pp. 8vo., letter written by Chaplain Andrew G. Osborn 14th Penn. Cav. Cedar Creek, Va., May 25, 1864 to Lieut. Col. William Blakeley showing a concern for the absent officer, and of the battle of New Market, Va., May 15, 1864, in part: “…I have just listened…to the letter sent…to our Capt., in which you make kindly mention of my name…I have [not] forgotten you…there is not a day passes but I think of you with deep concern and never was I more thankful…for anything…than…for your return from Bunker Hill…if you had come on with us. You would have been in your grave…I try to serve…according to our day’s trials…you intend to join us before long…there is no man on earth I would be happier to have with us than yourself…we had a bad time of it…on the 15th. O’ we were badly, badly whipped…the 14th…acted nobly. Capt. Duncan was the last man to leave the field. The Rebels say they would have captured the whole…had it not been for the cavalry…things were badly managed on that occasion…I am a judge…I could tell you some things, but one word means a good deal, and that word is (whiskey). Gen’l Sigel…was sober, but I cannot say that in behalf of some of his staff officers. One of whom owned up to me that they got all confused & mixed up among the men…I preached to the Brigade at the request of the col. in command. We had a brass band to aid in the exercises…”. Overall a very rare letter from a chaplain who actually fought in combat. Very good.
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