11th Pennsylvania Cavalry Correspondence

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Archive of 17 Autograph Letters Signed "William Smale", approximately 30 pages, octavo, 1864-1865, various Virginia locations to his wife, Catharine Smale, in Long Valley, Pennsylvania. Smale enlisted in March, 1864 and served with Co. "D", 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. In fact, five of the letters are penned on the Company's official stationery. This correspondence follows Smale from camp in Philadelphia to outfitting in Southeastern Virginia and then on to the seat of battle. The tone of his letters indicate that he is either Pennsylvania Dutch or perhaps an immigrant. Several of the letters in his name are written in a different hand altogether that appears uncomfortable with English.Pehaps Smale was wounded in the hand and dictated letters until he recovered. The letters read in very small part: "(Portsmouth, 5/7/64)...I have received a fine horse and saber and pistole and a six shooter At that I am ready for a fight...(Appomattox River, 6/4/64)...The rebels loss was heavey to ours We cane see the rebels every day Our pickets and the rebel pickets are only 100 yards apart We can speak to one another...(Appomattox River, 6/11/64)...Behind Petersburg we fought the rebels a good while...I think Petersburg will be ours in a few days for we captured some of their forts...I think that General Grant is the man that will make the rebels come down...(Jones Landing, James River, 7/2/64)...We got almost to North Carolina when we run against the rebels and had a very severe fight....they surrounded us and we had to get out the best way we could....We left camp with 78 men in our company and 34 got back...(Camp Near Richmond, 10/11/64)...we were attacked in the morning at daylight and ware driven back about 3 miles under heavy fire...in our Regt the loss is 94 killed & wounded and prisoners We had a narrow escape...". Seven stamped covers are included. Expected aging and stains, else Fine condition overall.

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