2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
A great group of four (4) war-date Union home front letters, totaling 14pp. 8vo., written by the family of Pvt. Brainard T. Curtis, Co. D, 160th New York Vols., while he suffers in a New Orleans' hospital as a soldier for the Union. News from home includes the battle of Gettysburg and of the many deaths his neighbors and friends suffered while members of the 111th New York Vols. on July 2nd and 3rd, 1863, along with false reports of the capture of Richmond and of active Copperhead activities in their neighborhood. Their letters, read, in small part: [Marion, N. Y., July 12, 1863, his mother]…you had better try and get discharged…James West & George Durfee have been discharged. They are harty as ever they were…we have heard of the fall of Vicksburg &…that Port Hudson had fallen…we have heard that Brashear City has been taken by the Mexicans & that they were all slaughtered. Harriet Jane has not had a letter from Oliver since…she has fears that he is prisoner or else he is among the slain. There has been a sever battle down near the Potomac between Lee & our army. Our folks drove them but with great loss on both sides. The rebels came in Pennsylvania amongst the Copperheads & stripped them pretty well of horses, cattle. There was a grate slaughter on both sides. Our killed & wounded was about 15,000. Theres killed, wounded & missing was 30,000. This was Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. We have heard that William Burred [11th New York Vols.] was killed [July 3, 1863] & Jake way [Irving P. Jaques, 111th New York Vols.] & Jud Hicks…among the wounded Gideon Durfee & Dennis Clark's son [Hiram G. Clark]. I have heard that Clark was dead. There was quite a number of deaths…it is thought that Lee can not get back across the river…he must fight or surrender. It is thought they are fighting now. Mr. William Rutherford was buried today…I am afraid you are getting discouraged. You must look to a high-power than man for…both [are] body & soul put your trust in god…[July 13, Harriet, to her "dear brother"]…I fear that you are getting discouraged. Don't give up the gloomy, lonely feelings. Keep as cheerful as you can…try and get a furlow and come home for a spell. There is secesh copperheads enough for a good many soldiers to take care of here and thereabouts. The draft has commenced in this state and they have had to call on the soldiers in New York…Copperheadism will show itself now…you did not write what ward you was in. It is necessary for us to know the ward…in order to have our letters come to you. Put your trust in God…if you know anything of Oliver's whereabouts…I think he must be dead if he was taken by those inhuman Texans foe. I know that he could nerve live long with rush treatment. If you have tried to get a discharge you had better. I heard the Captain Burwell intends to resign…if you cant try to be patient and get well…it seems to me that some strengthening letters would help you…Harriet J. Henrie…[May 14, 1863, sister Harriet]…Will has run some pretty close shots but come out hole at the end. The news that Richmond was taken created a great sensation, but it was all to get up an excitement and it had its affect for it made the copperheads draw down their tungs clear to there throats and now they durst not run them out for fear that they will get chopped off…dear Brother while reading your letter…the account of your marches and the dangers that you have had to pass through it makes the cold chills coarse though my vans. Oh how much longer must this dueling be carried on. Ho many more are to be sacrificed to satisfied the Devilish appetites of sesesh and traitors, but I suppose…God will come in his own time…I wish you well and my last thoughts at night is that you and Oliver and all those boys that I am acquainted with may return home safe…but if we never meet again in this Vale of tears may we meet in a better world. My thoughts often go back to my childhood when you and Will was little boys. How many hours I have tended you and wondered what would [be] our changes in life. I nerve dreamed of such changes. I never think of your names without strong emotions…Harriet J. H…[Marion, N. Y., May 24, 1863, his mother]…a dispatch came from Palmyra that Richmond was taken. The notice was read in all of the churches & so they went to ringing all of the church bells. The news came all threw from Albany to Chicago. At Palmyra they rung the bells and fired cannon, but all proved to be a hoot. I was so chest fallen that I could not make up my mind to right…your father & mother…". Also included are the three original stamped transmittal covers, including a "United We Stand. Divided We Fall," patriotic cover, each cover addressed: "Brainard T. Curtis, Co. D, 160 Reg. N. Y. S. V., Bank's Expedition, New Orleans, L. A." Overall VG. (4 letters)
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