Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A great war-date Union officer's letter, 8pp. 8vo., written by 2nd Lt. Ira F. Gensel, 4th United States Regular Infantry, [MWIA Fredericksburg, Va., 12/13/62 died 12/28/62], "Camp near Warrenton, Va., Nov. 15, 1862," in part: "…as was to be expected the removal of Gen. McClellan has brought this army to a stand still. If he had been allowed to go on and left alone by this time a battle would have been fought that in all probability have settled the war…we are getting from bad to worse…God only knows what will become of us. You say your friend Mrs. Crampton took dinner with you…and she being an '"abolitionist" old just suit me. Well Annie, Slavery ever having been a source of political power and having indirectly controlled every department of our Government since its foundation. I can easily understand why the old worn out political demagogue clings to it as the drowning man clings to his solitary plant…but why a woman-a lady if you please-should become its champion, unless influenced by prejudice. I cannot understand. I suppose you will say. I am in favor of keeping the negroes where they are and don't want them liberated and turned loose to overrun the North…I do not know whether they would or would not come North if set free. If they were satisfied that they would not be made slaves again. I think they would not. Even if they did their coming would not drape one half the north in mourning as this bloody war which is some of the fruits of slavery has done…Annie, let me ask you to tell me what slavery is…Oh, you hesitate don't you. Perhaps there are others who look upon an Abolitionist as a kind of monster…the best and most comprehensive definition I ever saw is this. "Slavery is the forcible subjection of one humanoid being in life, liberty and person to the will of another."…how often have I wished that you could see slavery as I have seen it this summer…your views would have changed. While we were lying at Sharpsburg…I wished that you were there to walk with me over the battlefield of Antietam. Oh: that you could have seen…the wives, the mothers, the father, the sisters and the brothers looking for the last burial place of those who fell upon that bloody field. The victims of the curse of slavery…their tears and broken hearted sobs would have caused you to…ask, why, oh: why is this. While from every grave would have come forth could the daed have cried aloud-Slavery, slavery, slavery. Do you hear the clanging of those massive chains. Slavery has forged them for human limbs to wear…do you hear the crash and explosion of that shell…the whizz of that bullet. It is the assault of treason and slavery on civil and religious liberty…then look at it frightful record of dead and wounded…do you se that broken hearted mother, those weeping orphan children. Slavery has opened wounds there which will flow…take up the newspaper and …you will see the names of the best men in the land. Names of the good and true…in dear old Bucks County…the names of McDowell, Beatty and Croasdale stand prominent. When the herculean studies of the demon slavery had endangered our Nation, our Liberties, our Government. They rushed to the rescue and fell. They are now no more…their names will adore the brightest page of our history…I have written at greater length than I had intended…my object has been to give you a few facts for meditation and reflection…in the future…pause and weigh well what you are going to do before you apply the term abolitionist to any person especially when it is done in a reproachable sense…Ira." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Minor toning, else VG.
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