2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
A good war-date Union soldier's letter written by Sgt. Jordan C. Harriss, Co. A, 81st Illinois Vols., 4p. octavo, Vicksburg, Mississippi, January 15, 1864, with cover, and reads in part: "…We have just returned to camp from a five days scout up the river. We started on the morning of the 10th & [Pvt.] Orson [Thornton, his brother-in-law, KIA on June 10, 1864 at Guntown, Mississippi] rolled safely in just before we started & called for a musket like a man & said he'd go with us. He went & we had a splendid time. We aimed at going near Greenville, Miss & taking some guerillas there but they heard we were coming & skedaddled on the short & quick order. We went on the Str. Madison & landed at a cuckold out patch in Ark. routed some 800 guerillas took a few prisoners some contrabands, cattle, hogs, mules &c. One of our Co. who was out a confiscating never appeared to us anymore & we left him not knowing what had or would become of him….I am sorry to hear of the ill-behavior of the troops at DuQuoin…Orson & Jno. appeared more than anxious to administer or to have a chance to administer to rebs some of Uncle Sam's 'Blue Pills.' Our noble Lieut's left Orson & I sleep in their rooms on the boat…There is an opening for promotion in the colored service but I don't know that I would like it. What do you think about it?...Capt. Hunter our Capt's Br-in-law has just come in from Black River & says 1/2 of the 31st have joined in the veteran service. All his Co (K) but four have joined…" VG. Harriss was captured with a majority of his regiment at Guntown, Miss. on June 10, 1864 and sent to Andersonville prison. After his exchange, he was mustered out with his regiment at the end of the war.
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