Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., on "Death to Traitors" patriotic stationery, written by Pvt. Mathew Halpin, [POW Second Bull Run, Va., 8/29/62], Co. K, 22nd New York Vols., Washington, July 18, 1861, to his friend Albert A. Fletcher, reading, in part: "…our Col. has had orders to raise enough…men to make this reg. -1040 strong. We are at present 800. We got orders yesterday to pack our knapsacks & be ready to march at a moment's warning…the Col. informed us that he expected to march for Virginia in less than 24 hours, If the rebels do not make a better stand than they made at Fairfax Court House yesterday. We shall give them hell. It is reported that Beauregard is within a few hours march of Arlington Heights with 60,000 men. There is over 100,000 of our troops three hours march of the city. That about of clothes is untrue. We are very well equipped to have got as good clothes as any reg. in or about the city…it is true the Albany folks cheated us the first 2 weeks, or before we went to Troy, but while…there the last time. The[y] treated us as well as we wish to be treated. We were furnished with light summer pants…they were taken from ship belonging to the Southerners or rebels. One of our guard wounded himself last night be accidental discharge from his musket. A few of our reg. have deserted & no doubt they will tell some pretty hard stories in order to excuse themselves…they better not fall into our clutches…3 or 4 of our officers are going back to the state of New York to get 300 men and those that deserted had better keep out of their way if they value their lives…I think mother must have left Cottage Hill…no doubt she will write to me some time. I am very anxious to her from her as I do not know as I shall ever see her again. Should anything happen to me I will leave a letter in your care to be…given to her…we had a telegraph dispatch…that our troops took 500 men from Col. Johnson…Mathew Halpin…". Also, included is the original transmittal cover, free franked by New York Congressman James Harper Graham (1812-1881). Minor spotting, else VG.
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