Raynors HCA 2018-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2018
Group of ten (10) War-date Union soldier’s Autograph Letters Signed by Oliver H.P. Sargent, a private in the 22nd Massachusetts, who was mortally wounded in combat at Yorktown, May 4, 1862, where he suffered the amputation of his leg. In part: “...[10/30/1861 Hall’s Hill, Va] Our flag must be sustatined, and men must come up to the work, and restore our government to its just position...I am surprised at the dangers to which a young man is exposed. Gross immorality abounds. The worst features of human nature are brought out, with no refining influence...It will be a miracle if any one comes out of camp with anything of virtue left in them. Many soldiers are here without the Bible...I came not to the war without the Bible; it was in my knapsack, a present from a dying friend....[12/23/1861 Hall’s Hill, Va.] I have not the accmpaniements of a New England home, to inspire me; but am surrounded by the desolation of war, of slavery, and of vice, in an Enemy’s country, expecting, and hoping soon to meet that enemy face to face, and test his vaunted bravery. Our soldiers are ready, and anxious for a fight...[1/1/1862 Head Quarters Mass 22nd Regt.] Let England step in if she likes. Our country is not yet awake; I long to see her once, awake. I almost wish for war with England. I know what it would cost in blood and treasure. I recoil from the sacrifice of men...Last ngith, while I was reading your letter, a brisk cannonading commenced about five miles from us, and continued at intervals all night. I think a night attack was intended by the enemy, and we are every day expecting, and hoping for a battle....[1/12/1862 Camp Wilson, Va.] Our Regiment is in Gen. Martindale’s Brigade, the 1st in Gen. Fitz John Porter’s Division...I wish you could see this Army. I rode over the field, where seventy thousand men were on parade. Think of it. Regiments stood in column, two miles long. A large share of these were horsemen and artillerists. Our continent never before saw such an army. Now I wish to see it move...[1/26/1862, Camp Wilson, Va.] The soil of the South, which has been for so many years been cultivated in the blood of the poor bondsmen, must have yet more blood; the blood of freemen. But what fruit will that blood bring forth. From the ground it will call for vengence, and justice; and the doom of slavery I hope, will soon be sounded...Doubtless many will fall. Blood must run; tears must be shed...I am not afraid of the battle...[2/2/1862 Camp Wilson, Va.] I love New England more and more, the longer I am away from her...Blood will run...I believe God will ‘speed the right.’ A battle will not cost so many lives, as we are losing now. It is almost a miracle, that our men are not all sick...The adjutant of the Mass 18th regiment, died the day before yesterday. Lieutenant Colonel Peard, of the 9th Mass, was buried Thursday near our camp...[2/7/1862] I once had quite romantic ideas of the ‘Sacred Soil’ of the Old ‘Mother of Statesmen,’ but I have lost them all. I see nothing of the boasted Chivalry, and am heartily sick of the mortarlike consistency of the Sacred Soil of Vriginia...Everything here bears the marks of Slavery....One of the greatest mistakes in connection with this business was made by Gen. Lee of the Rebel Army. He owned all of t he Arlington Estates, about two hundred thousand acres...The General certainly gave up everything to the cause which he embraced....I hope to see Gen. Lee, and many of his associates, punished, as their crimes deserve. I hope their names never will be known again, in the history of our country. They have brought on and sustained the blackest rebellion, ever known under heaven...[2/22/1862] We have been in the constatn receipt of good news from our Army, and navy...I was at the headquarters of Gen. Porter, when the news came by telegraph of the fall of Fort Donelson...Men and cannon united, in shouts of joy over the victory. Today, more than two hundred cannon are booming out the glad sound of victory...[2/26/1862]I did not carry a ‘Wide Awake’ lantern for ‘Old Abe’ but I rode at the head of a procession of several hundred men who were armed with them, and I have had no occassion to regret my action, since. This war came on, none too soon. Another four years of misrule would have ruined the old government, and put the traitors in power...[4/26/1862 Yorktown Plains] Yesterday we had plenty to do, to keep our heads out of the way of the rebel sharpshooters, and had some pretty narrow escapes. I was fired at three times, twich the ball passing close by my head....Our sharpshooters returend the compliments of the rebels, and killed two or three of them. We have a company of sharpshooters attached to our regiment, and they are entitled to a part of the credit given to Col. Berdan’s men...[May 3, 1862, Yorktown Plains, Va, the day before he was mortally wounded in action] On our right we have ‘Battery No. 1’...Yesterday this battery broke a 68 pound gun for the enemy...Battery No. 1 is the most distant from the enemy’s works, and its principal object is, to draw the attention and fire of the enemmy from our working parties on the ‘Peninsula’...Yesterday the Rebels threw a shot over our camp, and over the headquarters of Gen. Porter...If they were disposed they could shell us, very effectively, and the fact that they do not trouble our camp, is, I think, proof that they have no ammunition to spare....The rebels fire three or four guns at time to drive away our workmen...Several English and French officers visited the works a few days since; also Gen. Sprague of R. Island. I happened to be near this group when a 68lb shell broke close by. I noticed that officers dodged as quick as others...” More. Fine condition.
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