Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
War-date Union officer's letter, 5pp. 8vo., written by Lt. William M. Thurston, Battery F (Ricketts), 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, "Camp in front of Petersburg," [Va.], Dec. 5, 1864, in part: "…I recd my commission…Major Ricketts brought it with him from Harrisburg, also Lieut. Wireman. We thanked him for his kindness. He remarked that…we deserved them…we were promoted over the heads of two old Sargts. He also sent a captain's com. to Lieut. C. Brockway. I hope he will accept it…if he does not accept it Lieut. Camp will be captain. I most admire Lieut. Campbell he has made a brave kind and energetic officer. We…scarcely believe that poor Campbell, Wireman & Thurston have command of as fine a battery as ever graced the Union army…I don't tell you this to brag…we were both poor and but little thought of and some predicted that going to the Army would be the last of us…I feel like a free man now…it will cost me a large amount of money to get my uniform and other necessities to make our new home comfortable…considerable excitement prevails in the army in regards to the winter, [and] whether we will have another campaign…much depends upon Sherman's movements in Georgia. Quiet reigns along the entire line, save a few picket shots and mortar shells…next comes politics. Mack is lost in the frenzy. I am still a Mc man but will remain silent as regards political affairs…the majority of the people of the United States have cast their might for Lincoln and I must submit to the will of Abraham who tries to rule in America four years longer. I am sorry when I look at home and see so much ill feelings toward one another simply because there are two parties. Could you see the harmony between the two parties here. We carry the Stars and Stripes and can often. At home they try to discourage us and we do not shoot our comrades in arms and murder them because they are Rep. or Democrats…Lt. W. H. Thurston, Baty F, 1st Pa. Arty….". Light soiling, else VG
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