September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union officer's Autograph Letter Signed by Edward Blodgett, Adjutant 96th Illinois who served as adjutant with the 74th Illinois before being commissioned as lieutenant in the 96th, 3pp. quarto, on nice Headquarters' Military Division of the Mississippi lettersheet, Nashville, Tennessee, July 26, 1864, with great content it reads in part: "..."We are hardly in receipt of anything like details of the battles before Atlanta: but what I do know, makes the events of the greatest interest; the Rebels fought like mad bulls and charged seven times in our lines and got badly used; 1800 men will be their loss, a large proportion of these are killed and we only have 2000 to 3000 prisoners; our loss as officially stated at our headquarters is about 4000 men and I think 7 pieces of cannon. -- Atlanta is, as far as I know, not yet in our possession--The 74th was again in the fight and the loss is undoubtedly yet greater than it was before. I presume you give yourself no uneasiness concerning the coming Draft. I wish the new troops were in the field now & with Sherman. I intended to write a long letter this time, but I am very tired & have not felt well for several days. We confiscated about 150 bales of cotton & had a busy time in making out the papers....My position is agreeable enough, and were I not tired out, soul and body, and anxious to see this War ended withall a young man, I should not desire any better place. With no ambition or desire more than to fill up the time I am forced to remain in the service..." More. Fine condition.
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