Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A great war-date Union officer's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by 2nd Lt. Ira F. Gensel, 4th United States Regular Infantry, [MWIA Fredericksburg, Va., 12/13/62 died 12/28/62], "Camp at Harrison's Landing on James River, Va., Aug. 1, 1862", in part: "…when we first came to this camp there was plenty of mocking birds and they did sing most splendidly, but the horrors of this war…drove them away…at Camp Winfield Scott I sent you a carte de visite of a friend of mine, Lieut. Thomas D. Parker [2nd United States Regular Infantry].. He was aide de camp to Gen. Sykes and was killed [June 27, 1862, battle of Gaines Mill]. I was near him when he fell mortally wounded. Poor Parker I shall never forget him. He was an intimate friend of mine, a generous noble hearted fellow and a brave officer. The ink stand from which I am writing is a present from him. One year ago he was a prisoner in the hands of the Rebels in Texas. He escaped from them and got into Mexico. At Matamoras he secured passage on board one of our merchant vessels and in September landed in New York…after he rejoined the army…[he] fell in defense of the "Old Flag". To hear the booming of cannon, the bursting of shell, to hear the roar of musketry and the whizzing of bullets and see those with whom you are intimate falling wounded and killed around you produces very strange feelings on…going into battle for the first time. They however soon pass away and then one becomes utterly reckless and indifferent…I was riding almost by the side of Lieut. Parker and when he fell from his horse I was affected but for a moment but my feelings were those of bitter, bloody revenge…notwithstanding…I like the life of a soldier…and would not for a great deal have missed seeing what I have…in the great effort of the Government to crush out this infernal rebellion. I have but one regret…that that effort has not been successful or that this war is not much nearer a close than it is…ere long I hope to see the "Stars & Stripes" floating over a free and undivided country…the policy of our Government has been to[o] lenient towards the rebels and from the first has underrated them…we have a determined and vindictive enemy to fight…if this rebellion is to be put down it must be done by fighting…let the 300,000 men called for by the president be speedily raised and then let us hurl our whole force against them…last night…the rebels from the opposite side of the river commenced shelling our shipping at the wharf. The cannonading was heavy for near an hour when the rebels were driven away…Ira F. Gensel." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Minor toning, else VG.
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