2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
War-date 7th New York National Guard letter, 4pp. 4to., 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 23, 1862, reading, in part: "…my Bunk…while on guard…your letter was brought to me…I read it while on my post…I received a letter from…a son of Mr. Falger…he is a recruit in the first company…the Col. [James Price] sent an order to us to eject all the dogs that could be found in the fort…quite a number of dogs were caught & thrown over the parapet. In the Col.'s stable several pet dogs were found, one of which belonged to the Col. himself. These the guard untied…forming in two ranking [they] marched to the Col.'s quarters inquired whether they should be put out. He made exceptions in their favor and then the pursuit of [those] remaining was stopped. In the afternoon the Col. issued another order & then those which we caught were taken outside & shot. This was the first military execution that we have had. It has been the custom to catch two dogs & fasten them together at night tying some piece of the 'crockery' in the cord which untied them. The noise which the dogs make is perfectly beautiful. I was entertained during my night duty…by the howling of two or three couple…& amused myself be endeavoring to prevent their 'running guard.' …we had theatrical performances…a stage was erected with appropriate scenery, drop curtain, foot lights etc. The whole affair cost about $100. There will be performances every week. A large number of the 'Union' aristocracy of Balt. were (which there are few) & quite a number of New Yorker's were present. The band played as well as usual…Sunday, Dr. [Sullivan H.] Weston pretended to preach but did not come very near it. He generally has an audience of about 20 to 30 officers…privates & a few outsiders of the lower classes who come, principally, to hear the band play. Before preaching we had the usual Sunday morning inspection & parade with knapsacks, overcoats rolled, canteens & haversacks. In the afternoon the usual dress parade. The band played…before the parade & for an hour afterward…i have seldom seen more than two or three parties playing cards &…but one of them gambling…one of the fellows…sing sentimental songs. Another small party sing S. S. [Sunday school] hymns…our captain has been giving us drills in skirmishing…today we had a long battalion drill of over three hours & were drilled in street firing & modes of action in quelling street riots…I succeeded in getting my pants torn & only fell down twice…at the double quick I…[was] considerably amused by seeing some fat fellows…fell down & rolled into the gutter…". Also included is a war-date transmittal cover addressed by Van Wagenen to his sister. Unsigned, else VG
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