Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A good war-date Union surgeon's letter, 4pp. folio, written by Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle "Head Quars. 8th Ind[iana] Vet. Vols.", Augusta, [Ga.], May 29, 1865, to his wife, in part: "…I am in…a quandary…as to what I had better do. I have plenty of friends here among the Medc'l. Officers as well as elsewhere who will assist me in anything…I left the 12th Me. the day after Dr. [George] Collins arrived…I can remain where I am or got to the hospital. Our brigade is now awaiting orders from Washington to know what is to be done with us…I don't want to send my papers until I know something more definite about the matter for it will make considerable difference with my pay whether I resign or am discharged with the Regt. Another thing I have no money to get home if I was out of the service…Dr. Collins is not very healthy. He can not stand the climate and rations. The old men all come to me when they are sick tho' I tell them to go to their surgeon. The new surgeon is not tho't much of tho' he is clever and intends to do…what he thinks will suit the Col. & major. He is…a second class country physician…he is a fit tool for his masters and easily moulded…I havoc very few sick to attend now. This regt. is composed of veterans and they are tough & hardy…we had a beautiful brass parade last evening…and a large number of citizens come from town to witness it. Darkies there are in abundance. They had a meeting Saturday for their especial benefit to inform them that they were free now and forever, but that they must not consider the word Freedom as meaning Freedom from labor as many of them might do, but they must work for their former owners if they chose or [for] other who wold pay them wages. So you see…the slave holders who were instrumental in bring upon…this terrible war…for…extending the 'peculiar institution'…are now justly deprived of their property in slaves…let them suffer and let the 'old flag' never again wave over or protect human beings in bondage. Jeff Davis passed thru here two weeks ago…under a strong cavalry guard. He was in a carriage accompanied by his wife. He was put on the boat and sent [the] down river-is in Washington before this time. The old villain ought to be hung…he has been the cause of many a poor soldier's death. The country people here say that he deceived them as to the causes and objects of the war, not he alone, but other Rebel leaders with him…I suppose I could get quite a practice if I was at home…I got acquainted with a Maine man …his wife was a Bangor woman…she was so glad to see the Yankee from her own state too. They have been here about five years. For the past four years they have had to keep their tongues to themselves. There are many Northern people here…they are right glad to see the old 'Star Spangled Banner' once more and know that they are forever free from the tyranny and despotism of rebellious power…if you cant do any better. I will send you a negro girl…Wm. C. Towle." Minor soiling, else VG
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