September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Asa D. Smith, 16th Massachusetts Infantry, WIA at Glendale, Virginia after being shot in the face, he was discharged for his wounds a week after the incident, 2pp. quarto, Gosport Navy Yard, May 16, 1862, and reads in part: "...We have been doing nothing but guard and patrol duty...there is a great deal of Union feeling in Portsmouth, but not much in Norfolk. There are a great many flags flying this side of the rive and among the men it is hard to find an avowed Secesh, but the women are growing bold and a good many Secesh badges are worn on the street by them. The other night while on patrol, I was called a Hessian by one of them, who intimated a desire to kill a dozen of us, and thinking it unsafe for her to be at large, I sent her into the house. I have been all over the yard and find the destruction of property was immense, but there is a great deal of value left. The dry dock is not ruined, but a good deal damaged. One of the Merrimac guns the one that had the muzzle broke off by the Cumberland's broadside is here, it is a 9 inch Dahlgren. Major Leamson has been appointed Acting Asst Adjt Gen on the staff of Gen. Viele. The Mich 1st is in the yard, and the 20th Ind and Mass 29th at the Marine hospital. All the regts in Portsmouth had orders this forenoon to prepare for a long march...The union citizens have petitioned the Gen. to have the 16th remain...Provisions are very scarce here and the poor classes are almost starved, the stores taken have been mostly distributed among them you could not buy a pound of coffee for 10 dollars, wheat is used instead, salt cannot be had...The boy that was shot, has got to lose his foot..." Very good condition.
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