Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A Confederate soldier’s letter written and signed by John E. Parker who puts his ID on the original cover, “Kirkwood Rangers, S.C.V.”. The four page letter is date lined Camp Canty near Richmond, October 20, 1861. In part, “Camp life is I have lived to learn very different from what I thought before enlisting, it is really hard and what is much worse, dirty work. There are seven of us in what is called “Sibley Tent” and how we manage to find anything we may want in the pile of blankets, saddles, boots, and everything else, is perfectly surprising. ... There are a ‘pile of soldiers’ about this place. I saw yesterday a regiment of cavalry pass through one of the principle streets, it attracted little or no attention however, they seem to have got perfectly callous to the marching backwards and forwards of soldiers. ...The city seems to be crowded, and almost everyone has some kind of a uniform on, they may be seen of all shades and colors, some of the richest down to the most shabby in the world. ... It is a beautiful city I think and the next time I have permission to leave camp will take a ride through the principle streets and see what is to be seen, the immense statue of Washington on horseback I saw it is a splendid piece of workmanship… the figures being capital. ... I was right in volunteering. Although it is a very different thing from what one imagines before going into service. I think I will know what work is before the year is out. I feel quite sure it is going to prove of great service to me….”
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.