2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
Union sharp-shooter's 3pp letter written by Truman Head and signed as "Truman Head, Cal Joe". When the Civil War broke out, he headed East to join the fight at age 52. His original intention was to join the California Regiment of Colonel Baker, but upon finding that regimental drill did not suit his temperament, he decided to join the Sharpshooters under Colonel Berdan. Upon demonstrating his skills, he was accepted into Company C of the 1st US Sharpshooters, being formally enlisted on September 14, 1861. He was discharged for by Gen Martindale on 11/3/1863 at Washington, DC. Datelined Crystal Creek Mountains, Shasta Co. Cal. January 5, 1864. Cal. Joe is writing his "Old Companion in arms ... Lieut. Clark". In part, "I can not get one scratch of pen from the army since I left. I have wrote Capt. Barker and oderly Brewer ... I never knew if he recovered from his wounds. Your premonition of the death of Sheldon and Ruff met my eyes published in our country paper. ... Clark, when I read of your battles I'm fool enough to wish I was with you again. Was it not for my ankle that gives me pains of hell on marches, I should have been now with the living or the dead of Company C.... I live in a dirty cabin at the base of the grey old mountains alone ... Clark, in God's name, if you escape the bullets of the Rebs, the next thing, escape the life of an old back. ... Clark, I think you are too sharp to pray to God for success in battle. ... Pray to the Devil that is the strategy of war as you have seen enough to know the Devil guides the battles. Old Lee's voice is constantly heard in the courts and halls of hell. That is the secret of his success. Put down a bully prayer to the devil the next time you meet him, and I will bet you will thrash the old slavebreeding traitor out of his boots into a hole two feet wide by six or so at least, I hope so. ..."
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