2023-08 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/26/2023
This letter was written by Samuel Rice Fitch (1803-1874) of Windsor, Vermont, to his son, Samuel N. Fitch of Co. C, 6th Vermont Infantry, who was so severely wounded in the arm during the fighting on 5 May 1864 in the Wilderness, that amputation was necessary to save his life. He was discharged from the service on 26 October 1864-some five weeks after this letter was written.In his letter, Samuel advises his son to look into artificial limbs with as much particularity as he would if he were searching for a wife. He also warns him to watch his money as he had recently returned from a visit to the State Fair and witnessed numerous pick pockets at work. Also mentioned in the letter are two of Samuel's other sons-George Fitch (1839-1929) who also served in the 6th Vermont Infantry losing a leg in the fighting at Cold Harbor in June 1864, and Charles H. Fitch (1846-1928) who was still squirrel hunting at home with him.Datelined Windsor [Vermont] September 19, 1864, to Mr. Samuel N. Fitch, U. S. General Hospital, Burlington, Vermont, 3pp signed "Samuel R Fitch" with original cover. In part, "The last letter that I had from George was wrote his birthday-the day that he was 25 years old-but I have seen one from him since. He is not coming home until his time is out. He has had his name taken off the furlough list....I wrote him that I thought he had better get a leg before he left New York if he could not wear it all the time. He could have it fitted & bring it on with him, save another journey to get one. I told him to make inquiry & get all the information he could about it & you can do the same. If you see a man that has got an artificial arm, you can find out where he got it & what he paid for it. I should be as particular as I should if I was a going to get a wife. ... He & I went up to the Junction to the State Fair Thursday. There was the most folks there that I ever saw to a fair. There was lots of pick pockets. Mr. Kimball lost his wallet with one hundred dollars in it. One woman lost 50 dollars & a number of others lost from one to five hundred dollars. Look out for your money if you have any on hand & be careful about showing it much. My health is first rate & I am husking my corn now. Write soon as convenient & accept this from your father, -Samuel R. Fitch. I did not seal my letter last night and I heard this morning that David Horington was very sick. They think he cannot live. S. F"
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