September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Cornelius Van Houten, 1st New Jersey Light Artillery, 4pp. octavo, Battery B, 1st NJ Arty, April 18, 1865, and reads in part: "...I could get no letters from anyone while we were after the Rabbits, we went so fast nothing could keep up to us, but you ought to have seen Mr. Johnny Reb when we got him foul, they did not know what to say. I suppose by this time you have heard all about Genl. Lee's surrender a great deal more than I can tell you, but I can tell you we never had such a short and severe campaign since I have been a soldier. I never saw men fight like ours did they all seamed to be determined to drive Lee as far out of Virginia as he was in, we did not give him a moments peace day or night, if he did not make a stand we was sure of no rest, but if Lee made a stand just before night we would rest all night and make an early start and drive him pell-mell from his works. You had ought to have heard the boys cheer when we heard Lee had given up, I could not make a comparison just imagine sixty thousand throats opened at once giving three times three cheers and you will have some idea of it...I dont think we will have any more fighting for there is enough now with Sherman to drive Johnson off of the face of the globe, everything has gone well excepting the loss of our beloved President. Peace be with his soul, he has been a Father to us all. The soldiers all regret his loss very deeply, it seems very strange but God must have some all wise purpose for taking him away from us now and when we need him most and when his work is almost done, it is very strange..." Fine condition.
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