41st Pennsylvania Letter Group

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018

Group of nine (9) war-date Union soldier’s Autograph Letters Signed by Wilson R. Pilkington, 41st Pennsylvania Infantry, Killed in Action at South Mountina, September 14, 1862. They read in part: “...[8/19/1861] Our troops are digging trenches and throwing up embankments to plant cannon; they have cut down about ten acres of woods and several cornfields. There are secessionists all around us; some of them professes to be Union men, but when we ask the little negroes whether their masters are secessionists they say their masters swears at and curses all the soldiers, and say they would like to shoot them...some of the Vermont pickets captured 85 head of cattle and 5 secessionists...[10/22/1861] We were sent up the pike to cut off the baggage train of Gen. Johnston that was falling back from Harpers Ferry to Manassas. We encamped on the fields along the road for two days and nights, but didn’t get to see Gen. Johnston...Gen. Baker was killed in a charge at Leesburg. The Bucktails had a skirmish about 4 miles in advance of us, they killed several Rebels and captured a few flintlocks and one double-barreled gun....The whole fifteen Regiments were out the day we marched toward Leesburg....[12/8/1861]I am still on the ‘Sacred Soil’ of Virginia!...We took up the line of march in the direction of Leesburg; we all knew that we were going on a foraging (or in other words stealing expedition)...we came to a halt almost in sight of Drainsville, where we lay until about 3 o’clock. There were about 9,000 men and about 125 wagons...There was not a rebel to be seen...The General said that companies E,H, and K were in excellent fighting trim, and he didn’t know but what we may have a chance to try ourselves pretty soon...[1/21/1862] Some of the Sutlers are discounting the Treasury Notes. A Col. of one of the regiments discharged their sutler for it...[3/12/1862]Our division is laying near Hunter’s Mill, about 15 miles from here on the road to Centreville, and I hope to be with them by this time tomorrow...Our bosy will be terribly disappointed in not finding the Rebels at Centreville or Manassas. I heard this morning that they (the Rebels) burnt Richmond. McClellan’s Headquarters are at Fairfax Court House. The contrabands are coming in by droves....There was about 30,000 troops passed here on Monday...[4/10/1862] It is thought that this part of the army will have no more fighting to do, as this Department extends as far as Gordonsville only, this side of Richmond...[5/11/1862] We left Catlett Station...for Fredericksburg. We got along very well the first day but on the second there was five men of our regiment missing, but they must blame themselves for their capture...they fell in the rear about two or three miles there was twelve Rebel cavalrymen fired on them; they (our boys) took trees, one of them, however, three down his musket and ran. When the rebel picked it up and fired at him, the ball taking effect in the thigh. They then took him with the other four across the Rapidan River bound for Richmond. The Col. sent three companies back to capture them but did not succeed in doing so...They beat McDowell at Bull Run; but I will bet a three cent piece against a big nigger that McDowell can beat them at Fredericksburg...[6/17/62] Passed Yorktown and WEst Point. They (the Rebels) had a very strong fortifications at Yorktown. York River is about five miles broad the whole way up to the head. Left York and proceeded up the Pamunkey river to the landing. Got off the schooner and marched about half mile and camped for the night...We have just been out waiting for three hours for Gen. McClellan to review us but he did not come, so we came to dinner...[10/19/1862 from John Ross] I received a note...stating that you wished me to write to you and tell you all I knew about your son Wilson’s death. I was just a few steps behind him when he fell. I ran up to him and asked him where he was hurt. He said he didn’t know. I got a blanket and 3 more boys beside myself carried him down to the hospital...In about a half hour the Dr. came and assessed his wound. It was in his left side and just below the breast, done by a musket ball. Our color sergeant and myself stayed with him all night. He slept most of the time, only waking a few times in the night for water which we gave him...About an hour before he died he asked for water. We gave him a drink and he siad I feel weak and can’t suffer. John, if I die send my things home, if you can. He siad no more and went to sleep but never got awake. ..I wrote his name on a piece of paper and pinned it on his blouse...” All very good or better condition.

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