2024-07 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2024
This eight page letter was written by J. M. Wilson, a volunteer in the 12th New York National Guard (or State Militia)-nicknamed "the Independence Guard." This unit was sent for immediate service to Washington D. C. in April 1861 to guard the Nation's Capital. Datelined, Camp Anderson Once More, Washington, June 4th 1861. In part, "We were reviewed by Secretary Seward the same evening of the day I wrote you. The regiment looked fine. We were dressed in full uniform with white gloves. After the review we were drilled in loading and firing which was splendidly executed by the whole regiment. ... We marched from our camp down Fourteenth Street past Willard's Hotel, across the canal when we halted and the Colonel gave us orders to load at will which looked very much like hot work. We then took up our line of march (past the Michigan Regiment) to the Long Bridge which we crossed about 1 o'clock and took up our march along an even road (expecting to be attacked every minute) till we got near Alexandria ... We were practiced in the skirmish drill several hours each day. We laid on our arms every night expecting an attack. On Friday morning about 5 o'clock, the long roll beat and before 10 minutes we were in line of battle ready for action. The cause of the alarm was the constant firing of guns in the vicinity of Alexandria. ..."
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