2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
A great Union soldier's Emancipation Proclamation related letter written on, 4 1/2pp. 4to., "The House That Uncle Sam Built" illustrated stationery, by Pvt. William Walter Decker, Co. F, 124th New York Vols., [n. p., but Washington, D. C.], Sept. 23, 1862, to his wife, Emma, reading, in part: "- yesterday I was out on picket - last night I dreamed I met you and was about clasping you to my bosom when you said, 'Please don't soil my hair, Walter. I've just combed it.' - I have chosen a sheet of a new stamp - I had the good fortune to buy a quire of this - while we were in Washington I was all around the Capitol and around the parade grounds. Emma, just the dome of the Capitol cost over a million of dollars and that image on the peak is of solid bronze and weighs a hundred tons. The building is made of marble and is now turned into a hospital for the wounded soldiers. The 'White House' is a different house from the Capitol - you doubtless have read about our recent battles. Such a battle never was fought - our loss was in killed, wounded is about 19,000. Burnside & Siegel are now close on the retreating Rebels - all McClellan has written about it was a dispatch to Halleck says he had a 'Glorious Victory' - McClellan does not intend to give his official report until he destroys Jackson's army. We got today our Presidential proclamation which will soon end the present trouble. Our Brigadier General Piatt told Col. [Theodore] Ellis that he tho't. thirty days would push this thing through and we would not (he thought) ever be in a battle - I have in my tent a gentleman named [John L.] Kalbfus (a corporal) and he has a brother in Washington in the War Department. His brother says he must not be here - he has got him a situation of adjutant in a new Virginia home guard [16th West Virginia] for five years. The regiment is now only about six hundred - he wishes me to be 1st lieutenant - i thought I had better not take it - i would have to remain here for five years - Emma, does Pa say anything about McClellan yet if so tell him he must not for in so doing he does not know what he says - yours forever, Walter Wm. Decker." Unfortunately, Decker DOD at Falmouth, Va. on Christmas Eve, 1862. Very lightly toned, else VG.
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