Union and Confederate Pickets Met Between The Lines and Share Their Rations

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018

A good war-date Union officer's Peninsula Campaign letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Lieutenant Francis W. Sabine, Co. E, 11th Maine Vols. [MWIA Second Battle of Deep Bottom, Va., 8/14-20/64], "Virginia on the road to Yorktown, Apr. 18, 1862," to Mary, in part: "Yesterday…we left…Young's Mills and advanced ten miles to the village of Warwick Court House which consists of a mean little brick court house & a still meaner little jail, a lawyer's office, smaller & meaner still & three other houses remained here four hours. We advanced two miles further…the very spot where the 7th Maine were encamped…saw Major Tom Hyde [Brevet Brigadier General Thomas W. Hyde, MOH Antietam]…Wednesday Mott's Battery supported by the 6th Maine took two of the rebel fortifications, one of which the Maine 7th now occupies…King's Corps consists to the divisions of Smith, Couch & Casey. Smith on the right, Couch in the center, Casey on the left. We are in the 1st brigade of Casey's division …the 7th when they were here sent out o good many pickets…[out] about a mile from here. These would go in sight of the rebel forts & within speaking distance of their pickets agreeing on both sides not to fire on each other. They would meet & have a long talk…exchanging provisions, kindling fire together…when we send out pickets this will be repeated …I have seen a rebel. Their men say after we take Yorktown they are going to give up, but that we cant take it…any minute we may have orders to change…there was a general advance yesterday of the whole corps…I wish you could see us in our shanties formed by stretching rubber blankets over poles…the weather is hot & sultry in the night…the land low & marshy, few houses…the water we drink is what you dainty folks in Maine wouldn't wash your hands in…your in haste, Frank." With the original stamped transmittal cover addressed: "Miss. Mary L. Sabin, Care F. M. Sabine Esq., Bangor, Maine." Light toning, else VG.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).