2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
War-date Union soldier Autograph Letter Signed, “H.S. Gold” 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, Capt Rodgers Company, 4p. on fine “United We Stand Divided We Fall” lettersheet, with belt around “USA”, Memphis, Tennesse, July 21, 1862, with excellent cover “United We Stand Divided We Fall” on agricultural and maritime background, the letter reads in part: “...as you know that I am in the service of the government, I need not inform you of that. I was sent down here with body of Illinois Artillery who we all mounted or ride on the gun carriages to be eased around large cities principly so as to move from one part to an other with rapidily and sweep the streets of hostile foes. This city the most imporant between St. Louis & New Orelans is now our Head Quarters and perhaps will be during the war. Our letters directed to Memphis company K. 2nd Reg. Artillery Care of Capt. Rogers are sent to the company Post Office and sent by the Orderly Sergeant to the tents of each one of the company. The troops which have been doing such hard fighting in middle Tennessee are now coming into this city. One train coming in today two blocks north of the park where our tents are set up, I should think must be as much as 20 miles long as it has been coming in since day light this morning till now 3 oclock and the end of the Train just now coming in all but 15 thousand cavalry which are behind those which have come in are Infantry & Artillery. When we first came this city a few days after the destruction of the Rebel Gun Boats, on the River, supposed to be contain there about 40,000 inhabitants and the Rebels then thratened to drive us out but since our Troops have been coming in so fast Secesh has been very still. There has been an order for a Regiment of Infantry and A Battery of Artillery to march through the principal parts of the city every night and morning. We marched around last night the windows, doors, and side matter were pretty well filled as we went through Union men showed it generally by their faces. I was in hopes, the Rebels would have laid down their arms and the war would have closed before this time, but do not know but they will have to be anhilated before they will give up. They say taht white men cannot work in this Southern climate perhaps they will be colonized and the Blacks kept at work here raising cotton to pay the expenses of the War....heard stories last night of the Union troops who came in yesterday of their burning 3 towns on their way from Corinth, Mississippi to this place and burned one fine house because the owner had cut down his well ropes and said the Yankees should have no water from his place. Our Illinois troops who came in yesterday were many without shoes, their pants worn of half way to their knees having been trhough battles of Fort Donelson & about Corinth but will draw clothing again...” VG.
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