2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., on General George B. McClellan patriotic stationery, written by Pvt. John P. Crandall, Co. B, 9th Rhode Island, Vols., [later service 2nd Rhode Island Vols., 1863-1865], Fort Meigs, Md., July 18, 1862, to his friend E. C. Stillman, reading, in part: "…we are now at Fort Meigs, Maryland just outside the District and in sight of the Capitol Buildings…in the midst of a slave holding population. There is a large tobacco plantation…a little way from here where they employ 150 hands, men, women and children. It is no uncommon sight to see men and women in the fields…hoeing and digging…about the overthrown of the slave power…it is near. Just look at the late acts of Congress…now Negroes are not worth one half what they were before the outbreak of this rebellion…one old Darkey…questioned…as to his value said he had been sold for as much as $1,025.00 but now he is worth 3 bits…they all said they are not afraid to talk to the soldiers as their masters dare not do anything to them. One told me of a woman owned by a man…who being at work in the district in at the time of the abolition there [April, 1862] thought herself free…but her old master got hold of her and whipped so that she could not sit down. Lucky for him our boys do not know him. Those who were abolitionists before coming here are stronger in the faith…this war is something good although much suffering…I often wish enough to take a position in a hospital for…[am] desirous of doing all I can to help the poor unfortunates ones…Crandall." The original stamped transmittal cover is included.
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