Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
An amazing Union soldier's account of having to witness the botched execution of Pvt. Joseph Provost on Friday, Sept. 30, 1864 (CW data base in error as 11/10/64), at Cumberland, Maryland. Provost was 22 years old when he enlisted in the 1st New York Cavalry at New York City in 1861. He was convicted of murdering comrade Christian Miller in September 1864 and sentenced to be hanged. As the author recalls the execution of Private Provost shook him to the core. The sad, 3pp. 8vo., was written by Pvt. Aaron Farsig, Co. D, 20th Penn. Cavalry, Cumberland, [MD], Oct. 3, 1864, to his friend Henry C. Gingrich, in part: "…we are dismounted and disarmed…on that Lynchburg [Va.] raid we had very hard times. We had not half enough to eat and no fed for our horses. A good many horses gave out on one mountain we left 270 horses, but I brought my horse back. Between Martinsburg and Williamsport…I let him run in the grass [and] there I had to foot it [back] to Harpers Ferry. I was in the band…one night we had no place to tie our horse so we had to hold the horse in one hand and lay down and sleep…my horse got two times on my leg and once on my instrument. What I had [then] was a tenor baritone. We have no band now, but we get new instruments again. The other[s] was all battered up on the Lynchburg raid…last time I was in your store I had a little to much whiskey…but if you agree with me. We lay all that under the table and the next time I will make it better…we will make a proper settlement if I get home…let me know…about politics in old Manheim. Our reg. gives a majority for Old Abe…let me know your opinion of the war…I wish it would come to a close. I don't like soldier's life…last Friday our reg. and the 15th New York marched to the execution [of] one of the First New York Cavalry. [He] was hung for killing a soldier while on a march from Harpers ferry to Pounty rock [Point Rock.] The last words he said on the gallows was that he is not guilty. Then they put the white cap over his face and the rope to his neck. Down goes the trap…first the rope broke…but the next time it did not…they let him hang 30 minutes, then they took him down and buried him…Aaron Fersig. Direct your letter, Co. D. 20th reg. P. V. C., Cumberland, Md." Near fine.
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