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., "Camp near Stafford Court House, [Virginia], Nov. 27, 1862", in part: "…this forenoon we had brigade examination. Gen. Smith examined our arms…there is a sutler that came in…I am going to have what we call Lolly-gag for supper. It is made of crackers…soaked up and then warmed…it has been quite muddy since the heavy rain…one good rain here will soften the mud so that a wagon will go into the axle…our army wagons are made strong. The wheels are not very large made light…the fells are three inches square with a tire to correspond. The axle are large enough for four and iron axled…there is more timber in one of the boxes than there is in both of yours…they have from two to six horses or mules to each wagon…the wagon is a load without anything more...I thought I had seen hoses fair hard before before I came here but I hadn't…when the line is fastened to the…leader and there is a a stick that connects the two leaders…when they want them to haul pull on the line…when they want them to yea they jerk on the line and hollow yea. Maybe you can learn big-leg and Crook neck to drive better this way…you must not think that I am making fun of your horse…I would be glad if I had old Snowball to ride on some of these long marches…I must describe the harness that they use. The britchin…is six inches wide…same as the old Dutch harness…near the traises is chain…Bill is in the hospital sick. I don't know what ails him. He complains of being weaken his back and legs…". Unsigned, but a complete transcription is included. VG.
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