Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Pvt. Robert H. Crist (1829-1912), Co. F, 21st Indiana Vols., [later captain 1st Ind. Hvy. Artillery], [Baton Rouge, La.], Nov. 2, 1863, in part: "…Sunday was all Saints day…rode to the Catholic grave yard…the rebs and everybody was there. The graveyard is old and dilapidated…some fine tombs and monuments. The yard and graves were well cleaned up…graves strewed with flowers, wreaths of flowers…wreaths of beads string on wire and neatly woven…around many of the graves were 2-4-6 & 10 candles…mourners seated themselves aground the grave and cried…here was Irish, French, Dutch & Nigger. There was 4000 or 6000 people there, perhaps 2000 of them wore blue cloths…the darkees were as devoted as any, many…belong to the catholic church …it is enough to make a white man sick to see the Nutmegs & some New Yorkers lead niggers about-go arm in arm with nigger women, sit down…and talk for hours…the consequent is the Nigger gets fancy and if he happens among our boys he often takes a lesson at the expense of his head. The officers have several darkee servant that they brot from Baltimore. They are very civil…these Southern darkees gets too smart. They have been taught to despise a Yankee and they…conclude they are as good as a Yankee and…liberties and…are very apt to over reach. Several companies were ordered out to the front…the infantry are most all outside the fort…it was fun to see the sneaking cusses coming in to the convalescent camp…our boys yelling…how many days rations they had in their knapsacks…our Post Q. M. is engaged in cotton…speculation…Confederate money is worth about 13 cents on the dollar…". Also included is a partly-printed 4to. oblong military provision form issued to ten men of Co. F, 1st Indiana Hvy. Artillery Crist sent home to sister showing her the rations due his men for a week with detail commentary on the verso. Overall near fine. (2 pieces)
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