Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Pvt. John Elliott (1840-1924) Co. E, 25th Indiana Vols., Decatur, Ala., June 20, 1864, to his sister with most unusual advise on getting married, in part: "…we have very gratifying news from Grant's army but it all comes from the newspaper correspondents…they lie so often I don't know hardly whether to believe it or not. They report Grant's army caroused the James River and in possession of Petersburg. I don't believe much…unless Grant's or Secretary Stanton's name is signed at the bottom…most of the boys are knick named. Mine is Pointer named so because I was the best rabbit hunter in the company…at Grand Junction me and too or three others, Louis Taylor [KIA Bentonville, NC, 3/19/65] was one of them killed as many rabbits as our mess could eat…you haven't told me what kind of one [horse] you wanted…the Government has a lot of condemned horses for sale at Nashville, but I would have to prop them up to keep them on there feet…Joe is someone I don't know but presume he is some new comer from the loyal state of Dixie. There is plenty of them comes into our lines…not a day passes but three or four comes in direct from the rebel army and sometimes…25 comes in one squad. They are generally very ignorant. Once in a while one comes in that has brains enough to know which side he belongs and what he was fighting for. He is an exception…if you wish to get married the quicker the better. You are just the age…get Sinclair if you can. If you cant get some other numskull…I think Lenny is a very nice little fellow and looked splendid when I saw him in Missouri in his brass coat and blue bottoms…he many be lieutenant general before this roar is over…if I ever get married I want to marry a rich widow with plenty of gold either in teeth or not…gold is gold…I never knew what it was to go up the flue till one day on board of a steam boat bound for New Albany with Buckner[?] and staff…your affectionate brother, John Elliott…". Weak at left fold stains, archival repairs, else VG
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