2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
A historically important war-date Union Black commander's letter, 3 1/2pp. 8vo., written by Capt. Leroy D. House [prior service as sergeant, 16th Connecticut Vols.], Co. I, 108th United States Colored Troops, "Camp Prairie", Marysville, Ky., Aug. 15, 1864, reading, in part: "…I have been in Kentucky about five weeks…my own company and three others are at this place under the command of the major…our duties here are to guard the city of Marysville from rebel attacks…keep the secesh inhabitants where they belong and to call all the negroes who wish to enter the army…[and] swear them into service of the U. S…if their master come after them we tell them that if they can prove their loyalty they can receive three hundred dollars [from] the government for each slave…if not, they will get nothing [and] the slaves they can not have for they are free. We have pickets stationed upon all the roads to give…alarm of the rebels approach…Sunday an order came to…prepare to meet the enemy [who] were within ten miles. I was ordered to take my company and advance one mile, form my men…and upon their approach attack them…until reinforcements arrived…in five minutes…Co. I was on the march. I was obliged to order back my Co. cooks who wanted to take part in the expected fight. We kept a sharp lookout…but no reb showed…in the morning we learned the cut throats had approached within five miles…learning that the cowardly negro soldiers were ready to receive them they turned back…we returned to camp with full ranks…I expect to start for Louisville…to take twenty negro recruits and one rebel prisoner to Covington opposite Cincinnati…I have one Lieut. in my Co. his name is [Edwin A.] Howe from Vermont, an old soldier [1st Vermont Heavy Artillery?] from the Army of the Potomac. I am well satisfied with my command…the Kentucky negro is as smart as the average of whites and lack nothing but an education. I asked them what would become of them if captured and the universal reply was we would be murdered but that they would not get the chance for they would fight until they died. I have mustered a full set consisting of thirteen no commissioned officers. One of my sergeants is a Methodist class leader and one of my corporals is a Methodist preacher. One man has died out of Co. I and sixteen are sick…direct to Capt. L. D. House, Co. I, 108th Regt. U. S. C. T…L. D. House." The original stamped transmittal cover is also included. Minor toning, else VG.
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