Remembering The Sultana Disaster

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/15/2021

A great Sultana Disaster related letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by Harvey G. Hazelrigg (1807-1887) [n. p., but Boone County, Indiana], July 15, 1873, to his cousin concerning the sacrifices his four sons made while serving the Union during the Civil War including the very unfortunate death of one son in the Sultana disaster, in part: " - I had seventeen children, eleven boys and six girls; four of each are dead, leaving seven sons & two daughters yet living. William aged 35 (unmarried), Charley aged 15 Olly & John aged 13 twins are the youngest. James the oldest (37) and George (31) are married and living near me. Angela (24) ad Eliza (22) are with me. Joshua, the oldest was drowned July 4, 1857. Henry born June 2, 1841, after having served as captain three years and being in nearly all the battles from Louisville to Atlanta and then back to Nashville, wounded three times was taken prisoner at the battle of Franklin, thence to Andersonville. After the close of the war sent to Memphis. Was then lost on the ill fated "Sultana." I had four sons in the service James [a private in the 102nd Indiana], William [David William Hazelrigg, a private in the 5th Indiana Cavalry], George [a private in the 17th Indiana] and Henry [a captain in the 40th Indiana Vols. who died in the "Sultana Disaster."] William was taken prisoner in the Stoneman raid near Macon. [He] was in Andersonville and Salisbury prisons till the close of the war, but enough! As to myself. I have no cause of complaint. My wife now 56 enjoys pretty good health though for several years suffered very much with inflammatory rheumatism which has left her to some extent a cripple so that it is inconvenient to get about. I will be 66 the 13" of September. Excuse me for writing so much about myself. My vanity induces me to think that you would feel some interest - it is 110 miles - from Louisville to Indianapolis; 33 miles from Indianapolis to my house (Hazelrigg Station. I will do everything in my power to make the trip pleasant - our bank is "Individual" one of discount and deposit. Our capital Apr. 1st was $140.000. I held $74,000, one of the firm 28,000, one 23,000 the other 15,000. Money here has for some weeks been close, so much so that we are scarsely discounting at all for a few weeks past. In consequence of our having a large deposit of revenue - paid out over $55,000 in the last four weeks - your cousin, H. G. Hazelrigg." The original stamped transmittal cover, addressed: "John W. Hazelrigg, Mountsterburg, KY." is also included. Minor toning, else VG

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