Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A good war-date Union colored officer's letter, 4pp. large folio, written by Capt. Robert M. Campbell, Co. F, 47th USCT, "Camp 8th La. Vol. Regt. of A. D., Milliken's Bend, La., Oct. 11, 1863, in small part: "I was agreeably surprised…when Charles Emery Lieut. Comdg the artillery at this place…I will commence and give you a few items of what we have done…Monday 5th Company drill in morning, battalion drill in afternoon…Tuesday 6th drew new tents for the men and took down the old tents…had to show the boys how to fix up their new tents. we drew "wedge tents"…had a review by Brig. Genl. Jas. L. Kiernan commander of this post…I received an order from the Genl. ordering me as one of a "Board of Survey" to examine certain boxes of clothing received by our Q. M. which had been opened and some of the articles stolen…Friday 9th…drew clothing for the men and issued it to them. Saturday the lieuts. both on duty and I not having time to drill the Co. it did not go out at drill…the Col. came round and gave me his compliments in language not contained in the English Grammar and ordered the Sergt. to take the men out and drill for two hours. I just let him blow till he got cool then he went off and the Co. went out and drilled. Sabbath (today) had Co. inspection…the Col. complimented me for having the Co. and quarters in good shape…the mother of one of my Co. came in…and brought in a little white girl about 8 years of age. Daughter of Mr. Bird. She wanted to see me. (I was at her house one day.)…her parents are poor and she has not had the treatment and learning little girls of the north receive. She was great company for us…several of the officers had her round buying candy etc for her. She stayed and ate dinner…children of the north do not have any idea of the advantage they have…have not saw a single school house in the Parrish except Lake Providence…is an old decapitated house…and save one church…in the heart of a vast wild almost deserted country…and fast going to ruin…the rich planters either send all their children away some place north …or hire some Northern man or Southern man to teach them at home…the poor for want of common school have to let their children grow up the same as the Negroes, without an education save what they can pick up. Such has been the custom for years in this great Southern Confederacy where cotton has been king…but where U. S. Grant is now on the throne and the once down trodden African (now halts his subdued master and escorts him through camp to Head Quarters. When he wants to get Protection for his little remaining property) with a file of bayonets…[6 a. m., Oct. 12]…Well Al. Crawford has got a commies. has he. I think it is injurious to the Colored Service to give civilians command of a company for their is no man that has never been soldier himself that can command a Co. as well as an old soldier…I know good soldiers could be procured to command all the negroes in the U. S…now aint that so…your affectionate brother, Robt. M. Campbell, Capt., 8th U. S. Col. Regt. of La…". VG
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