2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
A good war-date Union seaman's letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by a certain "Allan," Charleston Roads, [South Carolina], July 29, 1864, to his mother, reading, in small part: "…I gave you a short account of our attack on Stono which was considered quite a success, but I cant see it. We are now laying off Charleston sealing our boilers…we will be sent to Port Royal again…these are great ships and it [is] a pity that they should…[be] improperly used…when [we] went to Port Royal…we waited orders from Washington…the last order was that, 'no man should go home till he served 30 days over his time.'…it seems almost impossible to escape all. I would ship for one year as Landsman…for he would get a rate of Carpenter's mate…they have a good many chances of making little things for the men getting a good price for it. A Landsman has the best chance for they pick their clerks & store keepers…many of them have got up to be master mates, ensigns Etc…it is much better than going for a soldier, especially a conscript. I say choose the best of two evils…I don't believe in so much sacrificing patriotism as this infatuated careless time calls for. I say ship before going into the army. I shall be glad to vote for him. I really believe no man [is] more fit at the present time than MacClellan-he could fill both Civil & Military chair…Elkins…is here as fireman 2nd class. It is a shame to ship such youngsters to take the place of men…that raid into Washington looks like actual indifference-a want of interest in the cause…your singular son, Allan." Light soiling, else VG.
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