2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
War-date letter, 4pp. 8vo., written, on official "U. S. Christian Commission" stationery, by U.S. Christian Commission Agent William Van Wagenen, "9th Army Corps Headquarters, 2 miles in front of Petersburg," [Va., ca. first half August, 1864], to his mother, reads, in part: "…I am…now detailed…as Assistant Field Agent, 9th Army Corps…the 9th Corps…did the fighting on Saturday [battle of the Crater, Va., July 30, 1864]. We have been very busy since. The affair of Saturday was an entire failure…our loss was nearly 5000. Taking care of colored soldiers when wounded is rather unpleasant work [in] this warm weather. The weather has been very hot…the work here will be heavy for some time. The corps seem utterly discouraged…our tent is very near both Burnside's & Meade's headquarters. The pickets keep up a continual firing & occasionally shells come whistling along. I am now quite used to hearing them…it appears that I have been enrolled…a guard were reported as looking after me at City Point as I had been drafted into the Washington militia. Can you get a certificate from the Provost Marshal of the district…I have been enrolled [7th New York State Militia] & am subject to draft in N. Y. C…also I have stood one draft there…Col. Greene is just going to City Point & offers to take this note…direct to…U. S. C. C., Gen. Butler's headquarters, 9th Army Corps…Will." VG.
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