Raynors HCA 2015-08
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by "Charles" a member of Co. E, 132nd Illinois Vols., Paducah, Kentucky, Aug. 1, 1864 addressed to Ellen "Nellie" Sherman, concerning the strict rule of Northern Kentucky's citizenry by Gen. Eleazer A. Paine who referred to him as "Our King" or "Tempest." Here "Charlie" refers to the shooting of a local citizen named Hess who was apparently executed without trial. Paine resigned from the army after Congressional inquiry found him guilty of gross misconduct in both Kentucky and Tennessee. The letter reads, in part: "…this was the first scout I have been out on & I don't think I shall go any more. I was completely used up…could not wear my shoes…I thrower them away. Hadt to steal a pair I guess. We saw five guerrillas about half a mile off but could not catch them. They had a small Rebel flag. The first one I ever saw floating. We did not wait for orders to shoot. Every man that had a gun blazed away. It was too far. Our guns would not carry up. They were mounted & were soon out of sight. We hunted all that night but could not find them. Our officers would not let us go to a well & drink…often we would hear the major sing out, "mo falling out of ranks after water"…he thought…they might have dropped a drug in the well. Woe be to them if they had…we have a new commander of the post. His name is Gen. Pain [Eleazer A. Paine, 1815-1882] He is very strict with the citizens. All that could not prove themselves good Union men must travel. He told us to take no prisoners [and] if we fought [to] fight under the black flag. I saw the Guerrillas Chief Capt. Hess shot last Monday. The Gen. furnished no coffin for him. Woe be to us if we are taken prisoner. If C. H. (which he never calculated to be alive) farewell for him or any other. There was a flag of truce on the picket line this morning. The officers went out to learn the cause. They have not come in yet…I remain your…Charlie…". VG
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