2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
A wonderful war-date Union soldier's, 4pp. 8vo., letter written in ink by Pvt. Albert J. Whitley, Co. C, 141st New York Vols., Savannah, Ga., Dec. 20, 1864" to his sister concerning action outside Savannah after the March to the Sea, and his commentary on the results of that march, reading, in part: "…there is some heavy cannonading this morning on our right…last night…we got a severe shelling in our camp but…none were hurt in the 141, yet many are reported killed and wounded in the 2d Division. The shelling this morning is in our favor for the shells are going the other way…we are digging a well in our camp today…yesterday we got rations again they were from the fleet…got 2/10 of a pound per man for one days rations of hard bread…I am in hopes the Rebels will soon find that last ditch…it seems to me that we have traveled about far enough to find it…the end of the war is drawing near…their [South's] resources are vast, & acting on the defensive as they do they have a decided advantage over us, as we have to reach them in their intrenched positions…when the war is ended their country will be one vast wreck. Look at Atlanta for example from a proud City of 16,000 inhabitants [to] nothing but a heap of mouldering ruins…their railroads have been destroyed, their mills & cotton factories have been burned…". Whitley enlisted in August 1862 servicing in southern Virginia, in the Atlanta Campaign until he was wounded at Resaca, Ga. on May 15, 1864, and Sherman's March to the Sea. Before being discharged he was promoted to sergeant. Minor toning, else very good.
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