2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
The following twelve (12) lots were written by William M. Van Wagenen (1842-1866) born New York City, graduated Columbia College. Served 7th New York Militia, late 1862. A highly religious man and member of the Methodist Church who during the spring of 1864 he accompanied Grant's army on its drive south towards Richmond as a respected agent in the U.S. Christian Commission, an affiliate of the Methodist Church. Some of his many responsibilities, assisted in the care of the wounded soldiers, helping with amputations plus overseeing the overwhelming logistical task in relieving the suffering of wounded men and ex-POWs. After the war, he returned to the ministry as deacon and assistant minister at the Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City, but soon died at the young age of 24. Rare war-date 7th New York National Guard letter, 4pp. 8vo., unsigned, (letters from this regiment almost never appear in the marketplace) written by William M. Van Wagenen (1842-1866), later U. S. Christian Commission Agent, Baltimore, [Md.], July 17, 1862, reading, in part: "…Bunk No.12…we have had no battalion drill…on account of the heat…Monday…one man was sun struck…most of the company sleep out doors on the ground…we have to be fully dressed and ready to jump up at any moment…Rev. Dr. [Sullivan H.] Weston of St. Johns Chapel is with us. He preaches once a week and that is all the duties he performs except to appear on parade in full uniform…he began having evening prayers every evening but stopped as he could find no place…Col. Price has had a room fitted up for prayer meeting & I am going to see Dr. Weston…& ask him to resume the service. Prayer meetings are…rather too strong a tendency to Methodist to suit me…we have our room now considerably ornamented with ice coolers and drop lights. I suppose there is some talk in New York with reference to drafting the Militia. In that case they cannot touch me as I have only joined the Regt. for three months & do not really belong to it. I have no intention of staying any longer than three months & then hope to get back to the Seminary. Do not tell anyone…that I have gone to war. I am no sooner to it than when in N. Y. A N. Y. policeman, in one week, does more duty than our regiment will probably do in three months…". Unsigned, else VG
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