Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Daniel D. Barrows, Co. E, 9th Maine Vols., [later Signal Corps], Hilton Head, S. C., Dec. 30, 1861, in part: "…we shall see some fighting before this reaches you…we are going up to Beaufort as an advance picket. There [is] about 18,000 rebel troops between Charleston and Savannah and we shall be placed on railroad picket 12 miles from anywhere but they may alter their minds and send us down to Pickens where Bragg is fortified with 10,000 troops…it will take some of the hardest fighting…to dislodge him but it has got to be done…I want to be at them. If I don't get some rebel blood and guts on my bayonet it will be because they can run faster than I can. We are having quite a time in regard to who we shall have for captain. Our old sheep having been discharged for incompetency. We want [Orderly Sgt. Levi F.] McKenney but are afraid that we shan't get him for our two things called lieutenants are working against us. As for [2nd Lt.] John A[ndrews]. He is a two faced devil and d-d him. If ever we get into a fight he will find out how much some of us like him. They gull us like thunder, draw on our rations and get the money for theirs…I mean to raise a mess. If I go to Tortugus…I had rather be there and know what I go for than stay here and be gulled by a set of d-d rascals. Our captain has gone and I wish to god the rest of them were with him…the provost marshal wont allow us to send any thing home…but I amy have a chance to smuggle it aboard…the steamers. We have built a splendid entrenchment five miles in length and old Jeff and all his minions cant some to time here…it is a pretty sight to look out on the bay…and see the shipping. It looks like a city. Sometimes there are as many as 300 sail in at a time. Uncle Sam is sending any quantity of cotton to N. York. The nicest sort of sea island as fine as silk, but he cant find enough to pay up for this scrape. They are paying 1600 dollars a day for transport steamers twelve in number that runs between here and N. York. A pretty little run for this department…D. D. Barrows". VG
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