Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
A rather odd war-date wounded soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. David Steinour, Co. H, 2nd Penn. Heavy Artillery, Mansion Hospital, Alexandria, Va., Oct. 12, 1864, to his brother, with, what we believe to be numerous metaphors that allude to sex, especially after he suggests his brother say all his letters, "EXPECT this one!", reading, in part: "…I am still improving slowly. I don't know how long I may remain here. I hope these few lines may you all well and strong enough to cut off a Fine Plump Fat Little Roosters Head for me…you know how I like Roast Chicken stuffed with good Smashed Potatoes, some nice Wheat Cakes well baked, some Good Butter, ALL put in a cigar box…put the Wheat Cakes in one end. Pack tight. Chicken in the other end. Butter in the middle…when I comes to Thank You, you will see someone sitting on the bed grinning. You would see somebody stick to the Rooster's legs like Grim Death to a Dead Nigger…send me the box right away…once more…pack the Chicken, Cakes, Butter tight, the the cigar box will hold them all. Roast him whole. Put him in the box whole, then I will have the fun tearing him to pieces. Salt them cakes a little, they will be cold, but I can warm them…if I want them warm we have a fire in our room, a nice stove too! Stuff the rooster with potatoes…contents of Box. One Roasted Rooster. One end full of wheat cakes. Little chuck of Good Butter. If any room…a pile of butter. Save all my letter, EXCEPT this one. Hang this one where the smoke gets too. That will help to roast the Rooster if it falls into the fire. I fear if I keep to writing you will get blind reading…direct the Box David Steinour, Mansion House Hospital, Alexandria, Va…". Steinour was wounded in action at petersburg and died of those wounds on Sept. 25, 1865. He is buried with his comrades in Poplar Grove Cemetery, Petersburg, Va. Also included is the original "U. S. Christian Commission cover franked by Chaplain Thomas Drumm, U. S. Hospital Chaplain Corps. Also, included is an original of copy of the booklet, entitled: "Letters Home III. A Collection of Original Civil War Soldiers' Letter" in which this letter appears. Minor stains, else VG.
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