Battle of Chantilly Letter

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018

A sad Union soldier's battle letter, plus one other, totaling 8pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Edmund F. Churchill, Co. E, 18th Mass. Vols. The first letter: ["In Camp", Sept. 8, 1862], concerning sad news of his brother's (Pvt. Fred Churchill, 18th Mass. who turns up killed in action) wounding and disappearance during the battle of 2nd Bull Run, in part: "…I suppose you have heard all about the battle at Centreville…we heard the firing plainly…our regiment was in it and some of the companies suffered severely, ours in particular…we had five killed outright…the following were killed or wounded. Fred was probably taken prisoner or he was seen to fall wounded as the company was falling back. I have made inquires of those who were with him but no one knows how badly or were he was hurt. All think he is a prisoner and not very badly wounded…he fell when retreating under a heavy fire…we all hope to hear from him soon…he will probably be paroled or exchanged…Rufus Wright was shot in the ear and is probably in some hospital…John Jordan was badly wounded in the side and may not live. He is in hospital in Washington or Alexandria. One of the Robins boys…was killed and the other wounded. In company C Josiah Ripley was wounded and taken off the field…I went over to the 32nd [Mass. and] saw Thed[Theodore P. Churchill.] He is well and tough…as are all the boys in that Reg. They have marched 200 miles in the last 3 weeks. They marched 70 miles on the Peninsular in 5 days…". Second, [Camp near Sheperdstown, Md., Oct. 29, 1862]…we expect to move from here soon…we never know anything of where we are to go when we get on a march…I suppose it seems lonely there now so many of the young men having gone off…I'll not hold any correspondence with her while I serve U. Sam…I have just been to see Hiram C. & Eben Vickery off. They are now on their way to a hospital. Hiram is all run down [and] no better than a pine rail. Eben is down with the "runites"…". The original stamped transmittal cover, with rare one-cent Ben Franklin stamp usage and postage "paid" cancelation mark. Plus two original docketing envelopes are included. (2 letters) , VG.

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