Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. John C. Hicks, [DOD Camp wood, Miss., 9/20/63], Co. H, 35th Iowa Vols, Columbus, Ky., Jan. 8, 1863 to his cousin Ellen Sherman, in part: "…we can bet any regiment that hasn't been in the field…on battalion drill. Gen. Tuttle says we can knock the spots off of any thing here. We had 13 thousand soldiers here…some of them has been in the army over a year and most dam poorly drilled…you will [never] hear of the cavalry knocking the ranks of the thirty Fifth Iowa…we have got a dam good example to back up that the Iowa troops has set before us and…we will stand up to it…if Old Abe and his cabinet had to live as we do…me think I hear him say by God lets settle this dam war…the Western troops and commanders being farther off from Washington…fight a little oftener than they do in the East. They don't wait for orders from Lincoln, Hallic [Halleck] and the cabinet…it is a dam shame that we…send men to Congress and Washington to quarrel over that dam niggar that aint worth the powder that would take to blow them to Hell. I didn't think in the beginning of this war the Negro would have any thing to do with it but I see the issue now is to free the dam black skunks…if the government will take…pains to colonize them some where by themselves…only think how many poor fellow has bled and died…to free that poor miserable negro…you ought to see the dam Contrabands we have here. We have about fifteen hundred from the size of a crow fish up to two hundred pounds. If ever anyone was sick of the sight of a nigger its your humble. We have four in our company as waiters for the officers. They aint worth a dam…if you want anything done it takes longer to beat [it] into their heads what you want…than it takes to do…I wish this war was a war of extermination of the nigger instead of what it is. I would rather shoot forty of the black cusses than one white man. You might think I am hard…and …you think just right for I am down on any thing that caused the war…I came out to fight for the Union and not the dam black imps of the Southern soil. I hope I may be wrong in thinking that the issue is to free the nigh…the Emancipation act don't amount to shucks. We couldn't take them any faster than we take the rest of their property…I haven't seen a nigger yet but what wanted to go back to his master. The only effect the Emancipation could have is where the darkeys wants to be free and they raise in insurrection and murder women and children…that would be a wicked thing and would rest on Old Abe's head…you must excuse this nigger co flab…for the nigh is [in] my sight at all times. I cant look either way without see them and I hate the sight of them. From your Cos. J. C. Hicks.". The original stamped transmittal cover is included with a note on the front outside panel reading, in small part: "…you may read this letter, but say nothing to anyone…". VG
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