Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
War-date Union soldier's letter, 7pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Marcus Peck, [DOD, Washington, Mar. 21, 1863] Co. H, 169th New York Vols., "Camp Ambercrombie, [Arlington, Va.], Nov. 15-16, 1862, to his sister, in small part: "…I have two pairs of stockings in my knapsack…my other two pairs are just worn through…at the heel. I sent them off to a darky woman to get them washed and she darned them all up good. I also sent a pair of drawers and a shirt. This is the first washing I have hired done. The nigger woman charges five cents a piece for washing and if there is any mending she also mends the things. I can wash my clothes myself nearly as good as the woman, but as it was rather cold I thought I would try her once. If you was here you could see soldiers washing about every day…you want to know if I was scared any when we were called up in the night to fight the rebels. Not at all. I felt as brave as a lion. I…read in the tactics that every commander of a Regt. should accustom his Regt. to form in line of battle by night, as well as day…in case of an attack by night…sanford wants to know what wages the sergeants get, The first sergeant get $20, the other sergeants $17, corporals the same as privates. We have not received any pay yet and the boys pockets are getting low…I have nought me a six shooter which cost $14. Tell Mush I can shoot em rebels now…[Nov. 16]…I have just returned from a stroll along the Potomac…I saw two dead mules and the skeletons of two horses. I also saw Fort Corcoran with its monster guns, forts Bennett and Cass. I saw the long bridge across the Potomac in the distance…I saw a flock of quails…some soldiers shot at them with their revolvers, but they did not hit them. I did not have my revolver…I saw a opossum skin hanging up by a soldier's tent. It looked some like a raccoon only it had a tail some like a muskrat…our third Sergt. was strolling along a creek. He saw…a mink in it. He took the mink and sent his skin to Washington and got a dollar for it…we have soon got to go to guarding the Chain Bridge. It takes a whole Co. to guar it. Co. A went down yesterday…they have to stay 48 hours. Co. H. will have to take their turn. I have been Sergeant of the guard once since we have been here. I have to stay at the guard house all day and all night, 24 hours. The business of the Sergt. of the guard is to see that the corporals get out their respective reliefs in time…about midnight. The guard round is simply the Sergt. who goes around to all the guards to see if they are all awake and see if they halt the intruder and make him give the countersign. Those who have been on guard do not have to do anything for the next two days expect to go on dress parade…Marcus Peck." Very light toning, else VG.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.