2022-07 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2022
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written on George Washington patriotic stationery, by Pvt. Samuel H. Davis, Co. G, 20th Ohio Vols., "Camp King, Ky., Nov. 21, 1861", addressed the Alfred A. Thayer (who latter served in the 96th Ohio) reading, in part: "-I have not forgotten you neither. John Frazier and myself are both well. Rob has gone home - we have gay times here - our regiment is encamped here by itself. There is 8 companies in it, 113 head of horses, 26 wagons, 5 ambulances (carts with slings to haul the wounded soldiers in). We have plenty of good clothes - have our guns (greenwood Rifles), Bayonets, belts, cartridge boxes, cap boxes, shoulder straps, gun slings, knapsacks, haversacks (these are what we carry our provisions in), canteens (in which we carry water) and tin cups, from (50 to 60,000,000) sixty thousand ball & cartridge - we are about ready for a fight and would like to give the rebels a mighty good thrashing - we will soon be on our way to Nashville - the colonel says when we move that is where we will go. Each one of us has about 60 pounds to carry. We now live in tents of canvas circular coming to a point at the top. Each one holds 15 men, cover the bottom of the tent over with straw, lay on our blankets - with our knapsacks for a pillow. We sleep the snuggest kind and dream of home and friends - most of the tents have furnaces under them, running under the ground the mouth of the furnace in front outside and the chimney at the back of the tent outside. When the furnace is fired up it makes it very warm and comfortable in the tent for cooking. We dig a little trench about 4 feet long, put a fork up at each end and lay a pole in them to hang the kettles on. We are all very good cooks now. If Ann was here to see us boys cookiing & washing up the pots and dishes she couldn't help taking a hearty laugh at the awkward way we at everything. I should like to have you boys along with us. I know you would enjoy yourselves the very best kind. By staying at home raising something for us fellows to eat by another year. Those peaches you sent were the nicest kind. Our bunk lived on them two or three meals. We have the can with us yet. Use it for putting sugar in and every time I see it I think of you and only wish we had many more such kind friends. John Frazier is stepping around here chewing his tobacco taking things easy just as he used to at home, saying something sharp once in a while. No more at present . But remains. Yours Sincerely, Sam Davis. Give my respects to Ann; also her sharp lands folks. Direct your letter in this way. S. H. Davis, Company 'G.' 20th Regiment O. V. U. S. A. Camp King, Ky. In care of Captain J. N. Cassell." Davis enlisted at age 24 in September,1861 and sadly did not have long live. He died of disease in May, 1862. The original postally used State of Ohio "UNION" patriotic cover is also included. Negligible upper margin, else overall VG
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