Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Altus H. Jewel [WIA Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1863], Co. E, 77th New York Vols., Virginia, Nov. 20, 1862, in part: "…we marched about fifteen miles, Monday about the same…now are encamped on the top of a high hill two miles from Staffords Court House and six miles from Fredericksburg…there was a house standing back from the road and there was some that fell back on purpose to plunder. One of the soldiers went to this house and saw an out doors building locked and he got a stick and broke the lock and found about fifteen bushels of apples…he brought away all that he could fetch. He told us…where they were. Bill was with me and two more…we thought that we would have some apples too so we went down to the house. We found about a dozen a helping themselves. I…saw a little space between two of them and I jumped into the bin…the old man came in and looked at us. He said that when we found the Rebels that we must lick them. I told him if we could not there was no use of anyone trying, but I thought that he meant the other way all the time but dare not say so. He said that he thought that we had ought to pay him something…but they could not see it…the army is a complete nuisance. There is more evil going on than you can think. Some go out and shoot down a cow, take a small piece and leave the rest…to stink…we have a cook by the name of Rose. He cooks our beans and rice and we cook the rest…this is the most godforsaken country I ever saw. Where you find a house, you will not find inhabitance for a great many have been forced into the Rebel army and some have volunteered. The fences are all torn down and the fields are growing up to weeds and bushes. When we encamped for the night there is some running…with rails to make fires and put up tents and some coming with hens, some with a piece of hog and some with one thing and some with another. I have seen a hundred rods of nice rail fence pulled down in a half an hour…when we are on the march we go some of the time in the road and some…in the fields. When we come to a run…they don't have any bridges…the pioneers go ahead of the division and throw rails in the front ad…it is better going in the fields…when we stop to rest they form us in line of battle and they throw down the fence. If a soldier gets over the fence for something he never climbs the fence if he can throw it down…Altus H. Jewel…". With fully detailed transcription. Light soiling, else VG
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