Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 6pp. 8vo., (with sketch of camp on last page), written by Pvt. William Hazen Noyes, Co. E, 12th Mass. Vols. "Camp Big Muddy", [north Washington, D. C.] Oct. 13, 1861, in part: "…it comes our turn today…it was the hardest guard duty that I have had…it is the hardest that any company & members of any Co. have had. It rained hard & steady all the time…our tents were…moved to where the guard are stationed & being put up in a hurry & no trenches being dug the water run a stream large enough to carry a small mill…one stroke of lightening must have struck very near…every man that was on guard at that time…jump[ed] at any rate it was nearer then I want it for comfort…wooden buildings must be had…or we shall freeze…we can obtain plenty of luxires by paying for them at the sutlers 30 cts a Lb for butter…20 for cheese plenty of it, tomatoes, rice, a few Peach pies…can be had for 12cts a piece…Sundays such things can be had easier…as the slaves cook up…& sell it…the sutlers takes them with his stock…from Washington…the Regt…are liable to move at anytime…Col. [Fletcher] Webster [KIA Second Bull Run] arrived here last night from Boston…your son, W. Hazen Noyes, Co. E, has sent home about $700 or 1800 to their friends…". On the final page, Noyes draws a detailed sketch of the 12th Massachusetts camp pointing out which tent is his. He titles the sketch: "The way a camp is laid out. I sleep in No. 6 Tent". VG
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