2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
A pair of Union Soldier’s letters written by William Jasper McEuen of Franklin county, Missouri. William enlisted as a corporal in Co. F, 26th Missouri Infantry in 1861 with several of his cousins (names Jones). He was wounded severely in the side on 25 November 1863 in the fight for Tunnel Hill at the Battle of Chattanooga, and was on furlough the following month. He spent much of 1864 on detached service at Division Headquarters and mustered out of the service as a sergeant. Datelined: Vicksburg, Mississippi, to his uncle John Jones, August 16, 1863, 2pp. with cover, in part, “I am under the painful obligation of telling you of a sad misfortune—the death of your worthy & beloved son David which took place on the night of the 14th at half past 9 o’clock at night after being sick about 2 weeks. .. . I think that he was taken with the Bilious Fever and before his death, it turned to the Typhoid fever. The greater portion of the time during his sickness he did not appear to suffer very much ... We buried him yesterday in the honors of war & as nice as we could here in camp. He was a great boy and an excellent soldier & was loved by all that knew him. ... plus, Letter, 2pp. with cover, to his Aunt with a Poem title “Lines on the death of David Jones” 3 stanzas. In small part, “Behold a sorrowing mother dear, And father weeping o’er his bier ...” He then writes a long paragraph to his Aunt, in part “Aunt, I am yet blessed with the best of health and trust that I am guarded by the eye of Providence. ... I think that you may look for me in a month and a half from this time & I may see Franklin County before that time. ...” The 26th was organized in Dec., 1861, and soon after being mustered in joined the expedition under Gen. Pope against New Madrid. It then participated in the battles of Tiptonville, Farmington, Corinth, Iuka, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion's Hill Black river, the siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, and the several engagements of the Atlanta campaign, after which it was with Gen. Sherman on his march to the sea and through the Carolinas.
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