2024-07 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2024
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Amos W. Blackman, Co. A, 31st Maine Vols. [MIA Polar Springs Church, Va., 9/30/64], "Camp near Petersburg, [Va.], August 21, 1864, to his parents, in part: "- I should have written to you before but we have been [one] another raid to the other side of the James River - we was so busy I could not get time to write. Our Regt. was first on picket - we are now in the front rifle pits before Petersburg - we have a chance to get out of the shells. We have to sleep under ground for the lines are very close together . The pickets are so close that they could talk with each other if they wanted to, but the pickets do not shoot. They have made [an] agreement and so they walk round on their posts as much as they want in plain sight of each other. You wanted to know if I was in the Pioneer Corps. I am not - and have not been since the Fourth of July. The Pioneers all came to the Regt. then and I have been with the Co. ever since - the size of the Regt - is small. We can muster about one hundred and sixty rifles and we are, in numbers [including] officers, cooks and all, about two hundred - the feeling of the Regt - seems to be of very good cheer considering the chances. I he[ar] a hard fight on the left going on now and the cannonading is very heavy. Our folks are trying to take the Weldon and Petersburg Railroad - from A. M. Blackman." The letter's original stamped transmittal cover is included. Both near fine.
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