Raynors 2020-05 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020
Confederate officer's letter, 2pp. 8vo., written by 1st Lt. Abner Newton Steele, [KIA Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862], Co. G (North Port Rifles), 11th Alabama Infantry, "Camps near Lewis House, [Va.], Jan. 30, 1862," to his wife Eleanor Caroline (Thompson) Steele (1825-1906), in part: "…tell Charlie he must get well and come back to the War with me when I go home…I dislike to speak of our camping place as soldiers ought never to grumble…I keep my pony saddled and hitched close to my tent door and I ride over time I go out. I have not built a cabin yet…as the roads are so bad for halling and boards so scarce I have concluded to cower in my tent and stay in them. I have two tents up. the doors facing [each other] and a small entry between with a fire place at the end of one of them. I intend covering them in and build a chimney to the other tent so I can have one for a kitchen and dining room the other for a bed room and siting room…I have only two in my mess… (John Hughes [WIA Sharpsburg & Gettysburg] & Tom Hammer) …Col. Moore [former Alabama Congressman and Alabama militia general, Sydenham Moore MWIA Seven Pines, Va., 31, 62] has just arrived in camp…he is looking in fine health. I am glad he has returned. There is no prospect of a fight here and we have quit think about it…they ought to let men of families go home on furlough. Old [Joseph E.] McMath [WIA Salem Church, Va., 5/03/63] has not gone home yet…his going would not affect my going if I could get the chance as I have nothing to do with the company…I get $90.00 salary as 1st Lieut. and $20.00 extra for commissary making $110.00 pr month…I have had the permanent appointment of commissary offered to me but I would have to give a bond of forty thousand dollars and I prefer not doing it…I don't regard the commission of a Capt. of commissary as honorable as 1st Lt. of a company because they are not allowed to command troops. Night is coming on and I must close…A. N. Steele." Near fine.
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