Raynors 2020-05 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020
Confederate officer's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by 1st Lt. Abner Newton Steele, [KIA Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862], Co. G (North Port Rifles), 11th Alabama Infantry, "Centreville, Va., Dec. 5, 1861," to his wife Eleanor Caroline (Thompson) Steele (1825-1906), in part: "I have…being absent from camp on picket duty…it is no pleasant duty either. We take the regiment out four or five miles from camp and stop in the woods put out squads of men at different points, some along the road, others on some hill or old field where they can watch the approach of the enemy or stragglers. No one is allowed to pass out of the lines without a pass from Head Quarters, neither are we allowed fires at night or talk above a whisper…I cant believe that they intend to attack us at this place this winter though it is believed they will by some of the head men of the army. Should they attempt it however we are well fortified and ready to receive them at any time…victory or death is the watch word and every officer & soldier is confident of success…I went out to Cub Run (a good large creek) this morning to water my mare and it was frozen over so hard that she could not break it…the health of the Regiment is not so good…most of the complaints are jaundice, colds & diarrhea and some cases of pneumonia…the officers tell me the chance of getting a furlough is very bad…and will be as long as the enemy is in a threatening position…get Bill to take charge of our house…you must take charge of the negroes on the 25th Decr. Get Jo Smith to see that they are all delivered…I want him to assist you in hiring them out next year. If the girls wish them divided the one desiring it done can get a decree from the Probate Judge…if Bill wants them divided it had better be done about the 1st of January so Jo's portion can be hired…how much corn did our patch make…are the Negroes easily controlled by you. Are Dick & Charley bad boys. Is Jo and Bill Baskin as bad as ever…how is your father…is the old man much excited on the war question. We think of starting Charles home tomorrow. He is in bad health and is very tired of the War…description of the battle field at Manassas…Col. Moore [former Alabama Congressman and Alabama militia general, Sydenham Moore MWIA Seven Pines, Va., 31, 62] is very sick though not considered dangerous…Newt." Minor soiling, else VG.
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