2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
Absentee bidding for this session ends on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST.
The live portion of this session begins on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST
A great early war-date Northern patriotic home front letter, 6 1/2pp 8vo., written by a certain "E. Reisly" declaring, "Three cheers for the first shot at Charleston the connecting link of all the North" after the South fired the first shots of the Civil War at Fort Sumter. Writing from Hamilton, [N. Y.], May 12, 1861 he enthusiastically recalls in literary Romanesque terms the celebratory departure of the "Union Guards" for Elmira, New York. In 1855, sixteen year old George Arrowsmith (1839-1863) entered Madison College, a theological and literary institution located in Hamilton, N. Y., present day Colgate University. Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, Arrowsmith helped raise a company of fifty men and he was named captain. After their arrival in Elmira, they became company D in the 26th New York Vols. After his service in the 26th, he was appointed lieutenant colonel in the 157th New York in 1862. A beloved commander, he was tragically killed on the First Day's battle of Gettysburg. Reisly's letter to his friend, Frank M. Medcalf, Westmorland, New York, reads, in part: "- - Frank, since we last met there is wonderful events taking place in the history of our country - Madison is doing her work to avenge the deep insult that has been offered to the Federal Government. The scene of Monday last was spirited - Hamilton has witnessed many a holiday, many a day of rejoicing and festivity - some happy demonstrations in the streets but never before - have they witnessed a seen as that of Monday when the Union Guard departed. When Roman mothers brought their sons to the Roman Senate and offered them their only jewels to be lavished of the Democrat Government. When Spartan mothers bade their sons go forth admonishing them only that whatever wounds they showed would be recorded by the pen of the historian. Monday is a day long to be remembered in Hamilton, Business was entirely suspended so they could witness the departure of the noble young men who at the call of their country have nobly stepped forward - never before has my eyes witnessed such a spectacle, Never before in Hamilton has there been so many aching hearts - with tearful eyes bid farewell to the gallant young men who had rallied under the Star Spangle Banner to fight the battles of the Union. The Democrats here have all becomes Unionists. The sentiments of the people is Union. I expect the next sentiment will be down with Slavery - E. Reisley." The original stamped transmittal cover, is included. Minor lower left margin paper loss effecting several non-content lines of text. Overall VG to fine.
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