Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Moses F. Whittemore, Co. C, 51st Ohio Vols., Nashville, Tenn., May 4, 1862, in part: "…James Goodhue has returned from Nashville where he went to take some prisoners who were taken at Huntsville, Ala. by O. M. Mitchell, Maj. Gen., U. S. A. [died of Yellow Fever, Beaufort, S. C., Oct. 30, 1862.] There were thirty five of them. Two more went from our Co. James is truly a trusty soldier and avoids all…bad habits such as swearing, drinking etc which are common sins, especially in the army…[a] great number who when they joined the army had never uttered an oath nor ever drank…but now both drink and swear…the prisoners brought to our guard house…have been brought…on account of drunkenness…the more I see of them the more I'm determined to never engage in…drunkenness…causes his fellow soldiers to loose all confidence in him as being truly [a] soldier and as all non commissioned officers are appointed by the Col. on the receipt of a recommendation of their standing…it deprives them of all chance promotion…I got a pass to go up to the city…having never been in the state house I concluded to go…it is of white lime stone…it is approached on both sides and at one end by magnificent steps…the 1st and 2nd floors are stone, the 3rd is made of cedar. It contains a large and well selected library…while I stood before the vast collection…I was led to contemplate how great the powers of the human mind are…I was also in the museum which was well supplied with relics of various kinds…I hereby send you a specimen of Tenn. money. This bill is called a shinplaster and is genuine here, but it is not very acceptable money even among the Rebels. The Bluebacks suit both Rebels and Union men the best…they know that the bank that issues the shinplasters is more liable to smash or go down than W. S…Moses Whittemore…". VG
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