Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
We are pleased to offer here the final remainder of the Youngs letter archive we have offered in the past. Included in this lot are 100+ letters Pvt. George Youngs' family wrote to him during the war. These letters make a fine compliment to his letters and are filled with heartfelt concern for his safety, while at times, following up on what he had written previously. The majority of these letters are written by his mother and sister and each of their multipage letters show an acute understanding of the meaning and reasons for carrying on the war. Their letters are filled with patriotic, political as well as military commentary. Most are dated between 1863 and 1865. Also included are several newspaper clipping concerning the 126th New York. Also included are two images of the same man. One, a cracked 1/9th plate ambrotype, shows him as a young man in civilian dress while the second shows him as a sergeant wearing a sack coat in CDV format. Both images came with the collection and we have no doubt, but to believe that this must be Youngs himself although he never made the rank of sergeant. A small sampling of random letters, reads, in very small part: "…[Jan. 17, 64, 4pp. 8vo., mother Effie]…I have been to church this morning and to the funeral this afternoon…Mr. Cornelius Hill was buried this afternoon. Mr. Abiel Cooke was buried last Thursday. There is to be a funeral of a child tomorrow. Yesterday a man fell down dead in the street. They call his name Andy Moran…A. L. Wheat has reenlisted. There are quite a number in the village that have enlisted among them John Gaston and they say he was married last Tuesday night…I was told by Mrs. Blaisdell that one of the boys in your tent had received a box…but that is not all she told me…to the effect that all the boys in the company "got drunk" on New Years day except the boys in your tent. This is a sad picture if true. It is too true with regard to many soldiers in this place that have not yet gone and some that have returned…[May 5, 1864, 4pp. 8vo., sister Louisa]…Cordelia…says when you next write to George tell him that I want his photograph very bad to fill an album…I told you about the April Fool letter I received from Ithiel [Hause 148th New York KIA Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864] I mate him a long story about it which I imagine fooled him as usual…I went around by the P. Office and took from the box a letter directed in a strange hand…I came to the conclusion it was Ithiel's handwriting somewhat disguised. I was wishing to hear what that Regt was doing…as the letter seemed to be a full one. I thought I should have all the news…I seated myself to read my letter…but a photograph well wrapped in paper [and] not a word written anywhere so he had the pleasure of fooling me after all. Cordelia says the one he sent home looks just like him, but (to be polite) I cant see it. Nellie was wondering…where you got the photograph…she must have Gen. Grant's and she cannot get it here…she hopes her father will send her one...[June 1, 64, 4pp. 8vo., mother Effie]…the news in yesterday's paper appears to be encouraging with regard to Gen. Grant's movements…we have to wait until evening for the Tribune but we think it better than the Democrat. Theirs seems to be more official…in it we received four maps of the seat of war since the 6th of May...[June 7, 1864, 4pp. 8vo., sister Louisa]…you see and know for yourself how things are going with the "Grand Army of the Potomac" while we must believe or dislike as we choose…that…everybody in this part of the country is looking with the greatest interest [in] Sherman's movements…the Rebs seem to be sadly puzzled by his (Grant's) movements. I was somewhat amused with an extract from the Richmond Sentinel…it says…now Grant has been retreating on Fredericksburg and now he is at Spotsylvania C. H. Now he meets with a disaster that would have sent a reasonable man back to Lincoln, but quickly he is flank marching for Richmond. Now he crosses the North Anna and confronts Lee…for battle, but night comes and he steals away…it is time for us all to cease speculation as to Grant's movements and attend to the facts. He has been offering fight when we thought he was retreating and retreating when we thought he was offering fight…we suppose that he has come to the final fight at last…we should predict a general battle today…[June 23, 64, 2pp. 4to., mother Effie]…we felt pained to hear that Lieut. Stanton was dead…Mrs. Stanton found his name in the list of wounded in the New York Times…Mrs. Stanton came round…to hear what was in your letter as she had got none…I suppose you did not learn the particulars about Ithiel's death. About two weeks ago word came that Frank Taylor was killed. Last week they got a letter from him aging that he was well…we cannot help feeling a great deal more anxiety in your behalf, but we are glad to see you are willing to do your duty…[June 29, 64, 2pp. 4to. mother Effie]…it is regretted very much that your regiment lost its Colonel but I suppose it was a great disaster to Gen. Grant also if report is true. Mrs. Blaisdell…said she had rather would be shot down on the field than to be taken prisoner. I cannot say so…while there is life there is hope. We hope that he and George Hill are both safe…you are favorites quite often with a conversation with the rebels…I think it very interesting and hope you will question them whenever you have a chance…we hope you will have the good fortune to get a lot of them and Generals too and all they command...[July 18, 1864, 3pp. 4to., mother Effie]…speaking of you Aunt Betsy said I do hope he will be spared to get home…but there are those who have been so wicked as to wish in words if not in their hearts that their friends might never return and they hoped they would…get killed. Perhaps I should not put such language in writing…to a Patriotic soldier. I should not want the rebs to see it. It might please them too well…Jacob Huber said he heard that the 2nd Corps was ordered to or near Washington…we don't believe the raids have drawn Grant's army away from…Petersburg…[Aug. 28, 64, 4pp. 8vo., mother Effie]…the conference meets next Wednesday at Elmira. I should like to go there and see the rebel prisoners tho I should be afraid of them…there are it is reported ten thousand there which I think likely…if they should get liberty I am thinking they would do some mischief. It appears that the army down there have lost some thousands of prisoners as well other loses heavy…we have often hear that the loss on our side is light and generally it turned out to be greater then at first reported...[Nov. 7, 64, 4pp. 8vo., mother Effie]…I suppose it will be impossible for it to reach hear in time for the ballot box. I do hope the vote will pass as it is…Pa thinks if you…[had] given him authority to fill the blanket would have done as well…Mr. Knox offered to send the vote on his own expense (asking your authority to put the name of the state on the inner envelope…after we received your vote Pa went up town and had your name registered. I am sorry to hear you are likely to lose your Corps commander [Hancock] for I think him by your description of him a good officer…speaking about our president reminded me of what I meant to say…God is on our side who can fight against God...[Jan. 26, 1865, 4pp. 8vo., mother Effie]…this exhibition so long talked of was repeated last evening. There was a great many more in attendance than the first one. I should feel satisfied if they had not left out one of my favorite pieces. That is "The Dying Soldier" but I was very much gratified on each occasion and I should be willing to pay to hear the same repeated again...[Feb. 22, 65, 4pp. 8vo., mother Effie]…Will Sutherland belonged to Gregg's Cavalry…this reminds me of the treatment he received from the Col. of a col'd [Colored] Regt where he went in company with Mr. Tuttle to inquire after the Lt. Col….after the usual greeting…the Col. requested Will to leave the tent as he had something to say to Mr. T. He then remarked he allowed no privates to sit in his presence, but he would be happy to do any thing for him (the Rev. T.)…Mr. T. said he was the meanest man he had see in fifteen years…[May 2, 1865, 2pp. 4to., sister Louisa]…the latest reliable report…is that the government has offered to furnish a black dress with the name of President Lincoln printed, or embroidered, or put upon it in some way to every lady who will wear it as mourning…there must have been some mistake about the day the President's remains were to be laid in their "last resting place" was there not? I think tomorrow is the day the body was expected to arrive at Springfield. You did not have to wait long to hear of the surrender of [the] Southrons army…[May 7, 65, 4pp. 8vo., mother Effie]…I think I ought not to have waited for you might be obliged…to go to Texas or some other place where we might not be permitted to hear from you…there are reports to the effect that they might need troops in that direction. We are inclined to think that those who have received large bounties and have not been in any battles are the ones to go to such places or to stay in the army and let the old troops come home, but they know their own business the best…an extra train of cars past through here this morning loaded with soldiers which went as far as Geneva and returned…there were twenty coaches in all…". Condition varies with the expected amount of soiling and toning expected to be found in a collection of the Civil War era
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