Raynors HCA 2015-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015
Good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Coleman Tilden, Co. H, 43rd Mass. Vols., "on board Steamer Merrimac, Nov. 14, 2 o'clock morning," [1862], to his parents, in part: "…the ship rolls a great deal…we have had a long passage owing to being obliged to keep our convoy in sight…we passed the light house on Cape Hatteras last evening…it is awful warm soldiers…sleep right on deck…we saw a very large steamer in the distance supposed to be the U. S. Steamer Vanderbilt formerly of the New York line…we were stowed away on board here. It was awful while we lay in that storm…we were just like hogs…it is better they having taken out about three hundred of the Forty Sixth…our quarter master shot himself through the foot [1st Lt. Henry A. Turner, right foot amputated on Nov. 15, 1862] by carelessly holding his pistol…and will probably be obliged to go back to Boston. The boys did not have much pity for him. Mr. Howard did not tell me you tried to come to see me…I want to get ashore. it is not my element on the water. I could not be a sailor for anything. This is the ninth night we have been aboard this vessel…about five too many. I stay on deck most of the time…your affectionate sone, Coleman Tilden, Jr…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG to near fine.
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