2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
A Union soldier's battle letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Alfred N. Nelson, Co. F, 10th Iowa Vols. Bird's Point, MO., January 18, 1862, to his "Dear friends" back home in his home-state, New Jersey. This letter details a surprise attack on his regiment while on an expedition, led by their Col. Nicholas Perczel, towards Charleston, Missouri. Perczel's orders were to ferret out a Confederate camp located near that town. In the early morning hours of January 8, 1862; by all accounts as very dark and rainy, his command was ambushed by Confederate soldiers lined up behind a stonewall that ran along a farm lane that the command marched along. Perczel immediately ordered two companies to clear the wall and dispatch the hidden rebels. The attackers "run amediatly." With nothing left to do, Perczel collected the killed and wounded; and retreat back to camp at Bird's Point during the day. Both Alfred and his brother, Samuel were transplants from New Jersey who both enlisted on Co. F, 10th Iowa Volunteers on August 22, 1861. Samuel, was an incredible 41 years old at the time he enlisted. As eluded to in this letter, Samuel was discharged within day of Nelson penning his letter. His letter along with its original stamped transmittal cover, addressed: "Mr. William Bowers, Franklinville, N. J., is included and reads, in part: "- Samuel [his brother, 41 year old Pvt. Samuel Nelson, Jr.] is no better. He thinks of getting a discharge and coming back to Phila. Jane is not very well - but continues to do her work. The health of our Regiment is getting better. Since I last wrote - our regiment has had a battle with the rebels. 6 of our men killed and 16 wounded. Loss of the Rebels not known - there was only 300 out of the regiment ordered to go and they chews a few out of every Co. - the number was so soon made up that I could not get in - it was all for the best - none of our Co. got hurt. Our men was marching along, about 4 o'clock in the morning - it was very dark and raining - all at once the Rebels fired and run amediatly. Then our Boys gave them the very best liks they had, but they could not see to do much good - will send my likeness - with my gun at - arms port - Alfred N. Nelson. Overall VG to near fine.
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