2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
War-date Union Soldier Autograph Letter Signed, “John Nilson” 4p. octavo, Fort Donelson, Tennessee, February 27, 1862, and reads in part: “...I had a Rebel gun to send hom but learned yesterday eve that it would be taken off the boat, so I concluded to sell it & not try to send it home, I sold it for $3...I learned that all of our traps left at Fort Henry are all lost by the sinking of a boat that was bringing them around....Since taking possession of this fort I captured two pretty good blankets, Secesh, in the cabin we are now in, there is a bedstead just like the one we got at North Vernon, with a shuck mattress on it. Elwood Wells, Jonas Allsays, & myself occupy it, in this cabin there are 23 men...last nigth we has some sassafras tea, I feel quite weak from the effects of a bad cold, taken while lying out on the hills during the Battle. - all the items I am sending home are secesh except haversack. This haversack I carried with me on both days of the battle, the carpet sack was left under the bed by the Rebels...I feel very thankful that my life has been spared through the dangers that many of us has passed through. Murphy has been here several days looks quite well, his wound is not near as bad as I supposed. Wm. Cummins [DOW 2/17/62] wound & Ross S. Jones [DOW 2/18/62] is consdidered dangerous. Ross may be dead before this, they were sent to Paducah. The two that I mentioned are the only two of our Co....they took [Michael] Clark [Killed at Ft. Donelson] up day before yesterday. I expect he will smell bad by the time Mr. Rea gets him to Clearspring. I believe it would of been better to of left him here where he was buried...The Report of Colonel Lawman and Col Veatch is a true a/c of our movement...” VG.
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