Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A good war-date Union surgeon's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle 12th Maine Vols., Camp Parapet, [Carrolton, La.], Apr. 4, 1864, to his wife, in part: "…we were paid off last Frida. I recd three months pay but had to take a $300.00 which is at 2 1/2 discount for greenbacks. Paying in this way has created considerable dissatisfaction among both officers & men. It will cost me seven dollars & a half to get mine changed…it means business for officers pay in this department when everything is as high…somebody makes money out of it for these checks are at par in New York…I think Col. Kimball will be made a Brig. Gen…they are making great exertions at [?] for him. I hope he may succeed for he is a good officer superior to many who he has served under. We have a large Regt. of cavalry here 1500 strong. [The] 1st Illinois just returned from Furburgh. They will undoubtedly be sent to the front…I see the arrival of Scott's Nine Hundred [11th New York Cavalry] in the city. Perhaps the Gov. thinks a change of climate may counteract their stealing proficiencies…they were with us on the Potomac last winter. Our forces are doing good business up the Red River, have routed & defeated at various points & taken many prisoners. Quite a number have been sent here. There were 300 in one lot…Col. Dudley's brigade have distinguished themselves, the same…to which the ladies presented the flag…the present campaign must decide in a great measure the future fate of the Confederacy. The most of the Negroes who were carried up river from here to work on plantations have returned having runaway as soon as they were at liberty. They will be picked up again soon as the orders are that all colored persons without certificates from their employers all be delivered over to Col. Hanks who will send them to some plantation. This comes rather hard on some of the colored population who were always free but there is no distinction...W. C. Towle…". The original transmittal cover is included. A bit light, but readable, else VG
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