Raynors HCA 2017-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017
A rare war-date Missourian's letter, 7pp. first sheet 8vo. on patriotic "LIberty and Union" stationery, second sheet plain paper slightly smaller than 8vo., written by a certain Henry Roberts, Cedar, Mo., July 26-27, 1862, reading, in part: "…it is the first letter I have received from Brookville…we are all well but Helen. She is not well. I was sorry to hear of Emma's death. I believe I told you about father's arm being shot…it was shot about the first of April. It was done by a band of rebel horse thieves who come to steal our horses. He had to have it taken off. It was taken off nearly up to the elbow. It is not well yet but he is able to go about…two divisions of the rebel army were encamped on one of our neighbor's and [on] on farm last fall but they only staid three or four days. They took nearly all of our corn, more than half our hay…more than half our wheat and one pair harness. They did not get any of our horses or cattle…but they stole so many things about the house…you have no idea how bad they were. Imagine the house and yard filed with rebel soldiers, some shooting chickens right before the door, others tearing up the floor and hunting for everything about the house cursing…swearing and frightening the children nearly to death…once in a while some fellow would tell mother that father was a Jayhawker and was now in Kansas…father and I, with a good many Union neighbors, went to Kansas and was gone nine weeks getting home. The morning after the rebel army came here [we] hid out at one of our neighbor's staying in the house at night and in the brush in the daytime. We have had a tolerable hard time…you heard the rebels had Mr. Hackleman…I do not know whether they had him three times or not, but they had him twice…he is still alive and well, but has seen a pretty hard time…the rebels shot at him once and snapped a revolver at him another time. The crops in this part of the country are tolerable small…there was not near all of the farms in grain…there is no wheat in this neighborhood. The men all went out and joined the state militia.. They made up a company, but it was not accepted and the men nearly all came home…there is nearly two thirds of the land that is idle…tell me how many of the Brookville boys have joined the army and how they fared in the way of killed and wounded. I wish Uncle Elias good luck in raising his battery. I have wanted to join the army ever since the war begun. I have felt like fighting for the Star Spangled Banner, but…I cannot now…this rebellion must be put down or we are gone. I have confidence in the government but I think they are easy on the rebels. You cannot use them too hard…they have been coming back from South all spring…a great many of them have taken up arms and gone into guerilla bands…your Henry Roberts to W. P. Roberts and Hannah…". VG
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