2021-05 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2021
A small group of Ohio home-front letters concerning news from the front from the sister of Corp. John Waller Bell, Co. I, 73rd Ohio who was mortally wounded on March 19, 1865 during the battle of Bentonville, N. C. After undergoing the amputation of his right leg he died and his body is now at rest in grave number 4-21 at Raleigh National Cemetery, North Carolina. His sister's four 8vo. letters, totaling 12 pages, reads, in very small part: "à[May 11, 1864, Libbie, 2pp. 8vo.]àwe received a letter from Waller. He said he was in the enjoyment of excellent healthàhe did not say anything about a battle taking place in Lookout Valleyàthe letter was to mother and I do not think he liked to tell her anything about ità[May 20, Libbie, 3pp. 8vo.]àwe received a letter from Mortàhe was then going to St. Louis within 8 miles of the cityàhe said that his health was good. We have not heard from Waller for about two weeksàI presume that his division is engaged in fighting. If so, may the hand of God shilled him from all danger and turn aside every missile of destruction. I was at churchàheardàRev. J. Mackey preach the funeral sermonàduring his discourse he said he had often wondered what species of serpent satan used to deceive our first parents, but he never could imagine what kind of it was until this rebellionànow, he no longer doubted that it was the Copperhead. Several immediately left the churchàothers that remained showed byàflushàcrimsoned cheeks that the arrow sped at Sandom had certainly marked its victim. Well, it thought it was rather an ill timed remarkàthe draft in this section of country has taken James Brego, Joseph Nelson and several othersà[June 28, Libbie, 3pp. 8vo.]àwe received two lettersàone from Mort. and one from WalleràJohn Lockwood died some time since [Chattanooga, 6/09/64] in consequence of a wounds received in the last sever battle [battle of New Hope Church, Ga., 5/25/64] in which the 73rd participated. Thus, he too has baptized the flag of our country in his own blood. How long, Oh, how long shall the blood of husbands and brothers pour forth like rain to fertilize the treasonous soil of the south?àhow very thankfulàthat none of my brothers have been harmed or scathed ever in the fiercest darkest hour of conflictàWaller's address [is] J. W. Bell, Co. I, 73rd O. V. V. I., 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Corps, Army of the Cumberlandà[July 25, Libbie, 4pp. 8vo. being, a lengthy letter on their mother's death]àthere is a day coming when her sleeping dust shall triumphantly burst from the chilling embrace of death and placing her feet upon the neck of her last enemy, defiantly shout. Where, O Death is nowà". Including two covers addressed to her other soldier brother: "Mr. E. R. Bell, Co. F, 149th O. N. G., Care of Capt. J. Ross, via Baltimore." Overall VG. (4 letters, 2 covers)
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