Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A wonderful war-date collection of eight (8) military letters written by Pvt. Henry Dwight Isbell, Battery A, 1st Ohio Light Artillery. Isbell met his demise while manning a gun during the first day of the battle of Chickamauga. All of Isbell's letters date from early 1863 until one written just a week before being mortally wounded at Chickamauga, total 27pp. on 8vo., and 4to. letter sheets, the archive, reads, in small part: "…[n. p., n. d., but early 1863, Nashville]…we are on the Cumberland about twenty five yards from the edge…we can have all the water we want and not have to buck it half a mile or more…on the march…we have to pitch our tents on the wet ground and it is glind[?] life to live…[Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 20, 1863]…your letter found me well and in the mud…to the top of my boots. Since we left Nashville and the mud is very deep here…I think this will go through…if the Rebels don't get it…[Camp Sill, March 10]…we had orders to strike tents and pack up for a march…our brigade went on picket this morning. They will have a hard tome of it. I am glad I am not in the infantry…I have had two [letters] from John Whitney since he was taken…he will get home in a short time or rather Camp Chase…if he gets there he will go home…all the boys from Freedom that are in the battery are well but Pullen…we will never amount to mutch for he has been sick every since he left home…[Camp Drake, April 14]…I like soldiering very well when it is dry and not too hot…I saw Frank's brother the other day. He is a fine looking boy…I liked him very well…he is in the Pioneer Brigade and they are back of the breastworks…at work on them…we were inspected by Maj. Cotter & Col. Barnett last Sunday. We come out in fine style much better than ever before…Maj. Cotter is here with our officers most of the time and they drink lots of whiskey…[On picket on the Salers Pike, May 2]…we came out here on picket…I like it much better out here than in camp…that makes me think we will move before long. If we move up we shall have some hard fighting…I should think it was about time for someone to do something…I see by the papers…that our troops are moving all around. I hope they will try and whip the rebus this summer…[Camp Drake, May 20]…we have just had orders to pack our knapsacks and get ready for a march…I have heard…that we were going to the Army of the Potomac that is McCook's Corps…[Murfreesboro, May 22]…one day we have good news and the boys are in fine spirits. The next…is as dark as ever and every ones goes about his work with a long face on…I hope our arms will do something in the west this summer…I don't think we can take Richmond…Hooker is on his way to Washington with his army. I hope he will get whipped out of them and drove out of the state…then [we will] see if they will…acknowledge to the country that they are whipped…[Camp between Lookout and Bear Mountain, Sept. 11]…we are all right and in good health. Have not heard from Henry since we left him but I am in hopes his father is with him…we have marched about twenty miles since I wrote…the weather is very hot and the dust is about a foot deep. I shall have to write…a short letter this time…Henry Isbell." At least one transmittal cover is included. Expected condition with some light soiling and stains, else VG (8 letters).
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