Raynors 2020-05 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020
Broadside, "Southern beauties, or, Captivity of Colonel Coburn's Brigade: written on old envelopes in 'Libby Prison'" ... 6" x 13-1/2", double column, near fine. Written by Private Edwin R.F. Hart of Bloomfield who enlisted in the Union army in August of 1862. Serving in Company C of the 22nd Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, Hart was captured along with 129 other members of his unit at Thompson's Station, Tennessee, on March 5, 1863. The soldiers were sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, one of the most infamous Confederate prisons. Here, Hart wrote a sixteen-verse poem about his capture and prison life on the backs of old envelopes. Dedicated to the men of the 22nd Wisconsin, 19th Michigan, and the 33rd and 85th Indiana, Hart's poem was later published as a broadside. In small part, "A tale I will tell, what lately befell Some brave Northwestern boys, sir; A thousand and more, a number of score, All stripped of their joys, sir. T"is held in derison to live in a prison, It was a bright day, we met in the fray. Our cavalry flew, our artillery too. Things began lo look blue, sir; Gilbert, dotard he, must foul or traitor be, We to ilie last stood true, sir. The greaX C. S. A., tlien came in our way, We don't think it so great, sir; As prisoners of war, they starved us I'll swear. Tuey liad nothing lo eat. sir. One day's rations for three,'sir; And then hard marched eating corn we parched, With the boys did not agree, sir. Night and night again stood we in the rain ; Aye, it. was hard indeed, sir. We forded cold streams, to no sleep- no dreams ; It Killed eight of their guards sir. ..........
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