2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
War-date letter, 7 1/2pp. 8vo., written, on official "U. S. Christian Commission" stationery, by U.S. Christian Commission Agent William Van Wagenen, "City Point, Va., July 12, 1864," to his mother, reads, in part: "…on arrival I joined the station & prorated for duty. Bro. Williams the agent in charge put me in charge of stores…the hospitals are on the Appomattox River about 1 1/2 miles from City Point…my work is principally to have charge of all the stores of the C.C. sent to the Army of the Potomac. They are all sent to City Point. All invoices come to me and I have to receive them from the U.S. Steamers, see that they are landed, loaded on the C.C. or U.S. wagons and taken to store tents. Then every day supplies have to be sent to the hospitals on the Appomattox [River] at Bermuda 100, Point of Rocks, etc. and twice a week 5 wagonloads are sent to the front. Of all I send I have to keep an account and am expected to know all that is on hand and to order everything from Washington so as to keep a supply on hand…we have been very short of stores lately…Bro. Miller & myself bought nearly $1,000 worth from sutlers. I have also to look after the telegraphing and to buy from the commissary and fight with the Quartermaster and Provost Marshall when necessary. I am…in charge of the station here. The station is composed of four departments each with a delegate to look after it. First the post office department and stationary store and express office. From this every day a messenger goes to Washington with a wagonload of the effects of the dead soldiers. Secondly there is a special relief department….thirdly there is a large store tent….fourthly a barge in the James River is also used as a storehouse…there are 7 delegates besides myself & 11 servants. We have a good many officers…at the table…the position [I hold] is one which before has been held by a paid agent and I think is hardly right to stick a volunteer in…today I have landed about 125 cases of goods & have packed & sent off 10 army wagon loads to hospitals & the front. I have established my headquarters in a deserted house …the room is hung with C. C. flags etc. I have boxes for tables…& 'Dave' (a contraband) to take care of it. Yesterday, I had to accommodate (in the cellar) two families of refugees. Each family was composed of a man-his wife & five children. I have been almost sorry since…for there is almost always one or more of the brats yelling. They go on North tomorrow. They are 'poor whites' ignorant…coarse & dirty. Gen. Grant is often around. I was at his headquarters yesterday. He has been in my tent etc. The picture of him in a recent Harpers Weekly is the most like him…Willie." Overall VG.
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