2021-10 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/15/2021
A good pair of early war Union recruit's letters, totaling 5pp. 8vo., with one written on patriotic stationery by Pvt. Samuel L. Banta [MWI Po River, Va., May 10, 1864], Co. D, 86th New York Vols., Elmira, N. Y., Oct. 15, 1861, to friend and future soldier, Pvt. Marcus Walker, Co. E, 141st New York Vols., reading, in part: "-I guess you were a little surprised when - to find me gone and - a soldier. I don't think I could be in any better business than to be a soldier and help sustain our country to put down this rebellion a soldier's life is a life of hardships and of trouble. We cannot have things just as we would like to have it nor we cant expect it. We have plenty to eat such as it is. We do not get any pies and cakes only what we pay - we sleep on stead ticks and have woolen blankets to put over us. We have got a pretty large company now about eighty five and we expect a lot more tonight so we will soon have a full company - we have a captain elected. His name is Daniel S. Ellsworth [KIA Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863], a first rate fellow. Our first Lieutenant's names is Arthur Baker. I expect Era Vanwie will [be] our second Lieutenant [Pvt. Aria Vanwie, POW Petersburg, Va., July 6, 1864]. Our colonel's name is B[enajah] P. Bailey. Quite an old man [62 years old] It is fun to see him get over the ground. He is about as spry as the most of our young men. We have between seven and eight hundred in our regiment now. It looks nice to see us all out on dress parade headed by the Hornelsville brass band - Samuel L. Banta. direct your letters Elmira care of Capt. D. S. Ellsworth." The second letter, "Washington, D. C., Dec. 6th 1861 86th Regiment N. Y. V. Camp Van Valkerburgh, Co. D," in part: "Mark you had ought have been here last night. I received some trouble wet their pants. I suppose Si M. told you all about it - I wish you was here - I suppose you go to school. Try and behave yourself and let the girls alone. I did not have the time to say a word to you when I come off that day. That was rather a lone some ride to me. When I looked perhaps for the last time and saw our house. It made me feel bad, but after I got back to Elmira I got all over it - S. L. Banta. direct your letter 86th Regt. N. Y. V., Washington, D. C., care of Capt. D. S. Ellsworth. Also included is an original patriotic "Protect The Union" cover. Sadly, Banta died of the wounds he sustained at Po River at Alexandria, Va., on June 5, 1864 and is interred in Arlington National Cemetery, gravesite: 2036. (2 letters, 1 patriotic cover)
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