2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
War-date letter, 7pp. (missing 1/3 first sheet) 8vo., written, on official "U. S. Christian Commission" stationery, by U.S. Christian Commission Agent William Van Wagenen, "Point Lookout, Md., June 29, 1864," to his sister, reads, in part: "…Bro. Griffiths (delegate in charge at Balto.) requested me…to stop at Point Lookout & take charge of the station there…[missing section]…I found everything in confusion & all day Sunday was busy in cleaning up…I am the only delegate here. My kingdom or wounded consists of 1500 Union soldiers and 1000 rebel wounded and of 17000 well rebel prisoners. To the former I give delicacies…[missing section]…by blowing a horn…I can collect an audience of 1000 who will listen to whatever I say…last night Rev. Junkin (Stonewall Jackson's father in law) came from the C. C. He is an old man slow & sleepy. He will do what he can among the Rebs…I wrote…to Bro. Griffiths that unless they would send me help I must ask to be relieved…as I was obliged to remain in the store house al the time & to depend on the two chaplains to recommend the surgeons in whom I could trust to give out…the Sisters of Charity are quite strong here & I have to give them C. C. goods to use. The need is very great here. 10 delegates would be too few & yet I have only Dr. J. (who is virtually a dead head-except when he eats.)…Bro. McKee has just come to tell me of the arrival of a boat load of Union wounded …the agent here before me is not as loyal as he ought to be & neglected Union men for the Rebs. His course has hurt the [Christian] Commission & I have hard work with the surgeon in charge. I am almost certain that Mr. Cross is an out & out Secesh as I found several of his papers and etc…I enclose a note which he used to send with Rebs after he had procured their release…I must get out of this as soon as I can as I am almost sick & tired out…yours, Will…". Minor soiling, with missing portion of first page, else VG.
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