Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
Frank W. Hemenway Group of War Letters (8) Signed "F.W. Hemenway". Letters are hardbound in a small booklet, 5.75" x 9.5", spans from October 30, 1862 to June 6, 1863, all addressed to family members at home. Frank Hemenway was had been a farmer and enlisted at the age of 17 with the Massachusetts 45th Infantry. The regiment was involved in a number of skirmishes in North Carolina during the spring of 1863, and Hemenway was stationed at Fort Macon for a period. In a letter dated February 14, 1863, he wrote his father, in part: "…I see by the papers that they are again to try and keep us some longer than our time but I guess thay [sic] will have a good time doing that. There is not a man in the Regt. that would not lay down his arms and fight no more but don't think that Uncle Sam would do such a mean thing, we are still at Fort Macon I do not know how long we shall stay here but I think some time there is not much news. They think there is Rebels or spies on the island for the fort is on an island some 25 miles long and tonight there is some dozen men gone up to see if they can see any signs…". It is interesting to note that the term "Uncle Sam" was not a standardized phrase until World War I. Up until the end of the Civil War, "Brother Jonathan" and "Uncle Sam" were used almost interchangeably, with perhaps the only variation being that the former referred more to the United States as a country, while the latter more implied the government. Letters are in fair condition, with usual mail folds and some light toning. Binding has some small areas of foxing and dampstaining, and slight wear along the edges. (6 letters)
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