2024-07 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2024
Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., on colorful regimental stationery, "Head-Quarters 47th Penns. Regiment," written by Pvt. Alexander Great, Co. I, 47th Pennsylvania Vols., "Camp Brannan, Key West, Florida, April 4, 1862 to his friend Moses, in part: "-I am in a Bully condition - we have plenty to eat such as it is and that is so-so - water is very scarce and we don't get any also whiskey and we don't get any only when we go out on fatigue duty and then we get two good drinks. We were drilling on heavy Artillery at Fort Taylor and fired a salute of 34 guns at the recent victory at Island No. 10 - there is about 150 ships laying here at present. The U. S. Steam Frigate Niagara is one of the number. She is about 275 feet long and 75ft. wide. She has 60 guns mounted. She is a snorter - there is a salt works here on the island and they make salt - they have a machine here to make salt water into drink water and this is one of the towns you can read about. It is a town hat houses have no chimneys and no cellars. The houses stand on post about 5 feet high. It will answer for a goat stable and monkey house. There was 3 Rebel Deserters came here - from Texas. They said that provisions was very scarce and salt was not to be had for no money - cows are very scarce here and what there is of them have to lean against the fence when they bawe for fear of falling over, so you can see they are snorters - Alexander Great, Co. I, 47th Regt. P. V. Key West, Florida."
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.