Raynors HCA 2017-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 8pp. large folio and 8vo., written by Pvt. Charles W. Manning, Co. B, 13th Mass. Vols., Williamsport, M. d., Oct. 31 & Nov. 1, 1861, in part: "…a little account of our last march from Darnestwon here…our Co. being detailed to go as Provost Guard at Darnestown…we had enough to do in keeping the prisoners (about 30 in all) straight…we had some of the hardest looking cusses that I ever saw…on the 10th we were ordered to pack up & start…we took the direction of Frederick & marched 15 miles to…Hyattstown…we had to build up the brush over where we slept to protect us from the rain…reached Frederick…march about 16 miles…into the Fair Grounds. there we stacked arms & waited for further orders. About 9 o'clock they told us to spread our blankets…beside the stack of arms…Middletown to Boonsboro…we did not stay long with the Regt…for the Col. detailed our company to come down into town & guard the prisoners…& also the rum shops…we have got the best of them this time for we got 2 stone buildings to quarter in & we have got bunks built…we are living like pigs clover. We have to go on guard every other day…we can sit down in day time posted in Hotel's, stores etc. The camp is only 1/2 mile from town. It is a very pretty little town with paved streets & several nice buildings & besides there is a lot of good looking girls. Cos. C. I & K that have been at Harpers Ferry…were ordered…to join the Regt & this afternoon they came up on the canal…Co. I did a good part of the fighting when they had a brush at the enemy a few days ago…you spoke…about [John P.] Bemis the one that deserted from our company. He deserted when we were in Darnestown [on Sept. 24, 1861]…scouting parties were sent out to scour the woods but no Bemis did they find. The next thing that we heard from him was that he had killed himself. He was a good looking little fellow & a good hearted fellow…no body would have thought of his deserting…I am on guard at one of the stores. All is quid…the boys in the companies that arrived here…are feeling first rate…our Col. [Samuel Leonard WIA Gettysburg, July 1, 1863] is acting Brigd. General over all the troops here…you said that Col. Stevenson [Thomas G. Stevenson, KIA Spotsylvania, Va., 5/10/64 as brigadier general] & a part of his Regt [24th Mass. Vols.] were going down to Fort Warren to guard prisoners…there has been too much blow about them fellows altogether…[Lyman H.] Low & [George H.] Kimball [MIA Second Bull Run]…are both tough & hearty & both send respects. Low gets his mad up once in a while but he has to get it down pretty quick or get into the guard house…Lewis…sent me his picture together with his messmates standing in front of his tent…I think that it a very pretty picture indeed…C. W. Manning." The original transmittal cover is included. Minor soiling, else VG
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