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 near Sharpsburg, M.d., Oct. 8, 1862," in part: "…the campaign in Maryland…is ended and never did, never will "Maryland, My Maryland" witness a grander sight…when the accused legions of treason and rebellion were driven, broken and dismayed across the Potomac before the brave and invincible forces of McClellan and Burnside…[Here he pens his own rendition of, Maryland, My Maryland.]…She heard the distant thunder hum, Maryland, My Maryland. She heard the rebel fife and drum. Maryland, My Maryland. She was not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb. Huzza, she spurned the rebel scum….Maryland, My Maryland…the recent disasters and defeats to our armies although very discouraging serve only to delay not to prevent victorious results. The echoes of the cannon at Bull Run 2d have scarcely died away before that thundering which McClellan promised…President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation comes as a new dispensation of those of us who have enlisted in the holy cause of freedom and the time is coming when our glorious old flag…will float in triumph over a nation of freemen. A new era is rapidly approaching. The old is fast passing away and upon its fading shadows we can see in bright letters far outshining the old "No more slavery." "Liberty to all." The time for Uncle Abe to put down his foot a "Little heavy" has come and he has put it down at the right place. They have felt it at Richmond. One can almost hear the howl that has gone up. Such a result alone is worth one years war and if this war was ended today…I would thank God that so much good had been accomplished for the cause of Truth, Right and Justice…the question of "Liberating the slaves" is no longer a thing to be talked about, it is a solid…undisputed fact. It is the issue of this war and it must be met…the people in the North are now ready for it, the South must be. Every body's eyes are being gradually opened and we must all begin to look upon slavery in its true light. It is the perfidious parent of this bloody war. It is slavery that is forging the chains of human limbs to wear in perpetual bondage and not the prayers and pleading of liberty in behalf of all her children. Slavery, slavery the curse of slavery is the cause of the war and if it be the cause shall our Government and our armies protect the institution. Oh, No, Annie no, no. God forbid. This country cannot exist half slave, half free. One or the other must, will fall. Which shall it be. Shall it be slavery or shall it be freedom. The armies of Jeff Davis in the South and his "Peace croaker allies" in the North are doing their utmost to defend it. My hope and prayer is that the armies of the North and the friends of the Government will do their utmost to extinguish it. I trust that these boasted United States of American may never again blacken under the terrible curse. May he who has ever been on the side of Justice and mercy prevent it. I hope I may live to see this country…free as the air I breathe and that…the stars and stripes will again be floating over a free and individual country. My sheet is almost filled in giving you my views upon a subject I think we disagree. Pardon me. I will endeavor not to repeat it…Ira." Also included is a lengthy newspaper clipping detailing a grand review of the Army of the Potomac by President Lincoln and McClellan on the field at Antietam. The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Minor toning, else VG.
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