Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
Union soldier’s letter unsigned by written by John G. Rowley (comes with original cover addressed to his parents). Rowley enlisted on 9/6/1861 into "E" Co. CT 7th Infantry. The four page letter is datelined Camp 7th Conn. Vols., St. Helena Island, S.C. Nov. 18th, 1863 and reads in part, “Fort Sumter was our destination. There was a calcium light thrown onto it and we were ready for them at any moment. It would have been hard fighting for a while but we would have waxed the Rebs with Col. Joe with us. ...One of the boys said we were all labeled Libby. That is the last place we shall go to if we hang together. ... Today we turn in our old Enfield rifles and received the new Spencer Carbine seven shooter. ... Rumor says that Col. Hawley is to be Military Gov. of Florida. I hope so. I think it a sell though. I see that Lt. Col. Rodman is to be Col. of the 6th and both regiments are going to Florida to clean out the state. ... Lt. Dempsey came from Morris Island today, he says that Battery Chatfield fired several shots at Charleston City in earnest while he was there. Some of the Batteries guns are all turned on the city. Sumter is more and more a shapeless mass although it is garrisoned yet by the Rebs. They fire wholly now new shells said by science men not to have been cast more than 10 days....”
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