2023-03 HCA Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2023
Union Chaplain Henry Wheeler 5pp. letter to his wife with cover. The letter is datelined Camp near Stafford C. H., Va. Dec. 24, 1862. In part, "WE SAW WHERE THE REBELS HAD HAD THEIR PICKET FIRES, ONLY A SHORT TIME BEFORE. WE FOUND ON THE WAY THE REMAINS OF LARGE FIRES WHERE THE REBELS HAD BURNT THE GOODS AND WAGONS WHICH THEY CAPTURED AT OCCOQUAN CREEK. THEY BURNT THEM BECAUSE WE WERE SO CLOSE TO THEM, THEY COULD NOT CARRY THEM ALL AWAY. ... THE ENVELOPE IN WHICH I SEND THIS LETTER IS ONE OF A NUMBER WHICH I FOUND AT THE PLACE THEY BURNED THE GOODS. ... " He has written on the envelope "Envelope taken from the Rebel Camp or pickett Station near Occoquan Va. Dec. 22, 1862. H.W. And on the Captured stationery, Wheeler writes "It is just dark. Our band is playing. My fire is blazing. Rass is cooking supper. Everything is pleasant, but I want you. I think I have taken in some 5 hundred letters this afternoon and must write my name on nearly half yet tonight because they have no stamps. I took up this paper (which I captured from the Rebels) to say good night to you. May His arm protect you. Good night. Henry. The envelope got wet and won't stick so I put another outside."
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