2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
A war-date Union officer's letter written by 1st Lt. Selwyn E. Bickford, 6th Massachusetts Infantry, 4p. folio, Camp Sixth Mass. Volunteers, Suffolk, Virginia, January 10, 1863, and reads in part: "…Major Stott was in my quarters day before yesterday, and charged me not to omit giving you his regards the next time I wrote…The major is a gay boy, and very well liked by the Regiment. Col. Follansbee is now on his way to Lowell on a furlough, and will be there probably a week or ten days. I believe you are acquainted with him so you will be likely to hear from us. He is open to an invitation to a friendly glass of whiskey…this last is sabrosa for he is my commanding officer…most of the other troops who were here, or came here about the time we did, have gone to reinforce General Foster in North Carolina, and Corcoran's Legion, which arrived from Newport News about a fortnight ago. Gen. Peck has been away on a furlough for twenty days, and only returned here last Friday, and when Gen. Corcoran got here, his commission bearing date from the battle of Bull Run, the command of the post devolved upon him, so we were under his command about a week long enough to get in a Christmas and New Years holiday. This influx of Irish puts quite a different aspect now on our streets, and when they first got here the 'boys' said it did them good to see the 'paddies' about again. The famous 'legion' only comprises four regiments, among which is the 'Sixty-Ninth,' in all I should say about thirty five hundred men, but when on considers that there are 'some of the finest pisantry in the world,' and that they are led by a man who seems to know no fear, it is safe to reckon them a find body of troops. I have seen the gallant Michael once, on the occasion of his resigning the command here, to Major General Peck. He made a grand parade on that occasion, having out some five thousand men to receive him. They marshaled the General to his Headquarters and in a formal speech the charge was turned over. Gen. Peck seemed rather annoyed by the profuse civilities and almost said as much in his reply, but as neither of these officials had seen each other before, he made rather a stiff address. Corcoran is very tall, very thin, and very light complexion, with a long light mustache, and a goatee. His expression is mild and pleasant, and he appears winning in his address. He dresses with much taste and with an eye for effect. His staff [officers] are over laid with gilt and buttons, and are given to drink. The holidays mentioned before were pretty well celebrated at Head Quarters and a good many got 'tight' who were never drunk before. I got a good drink of Ale that day…our Reg't behaved with its usual sobriety; we are located away on one side of the town, by ourselves, and there does not seem to be any very strong affinities between our officers and those of other Regiments. Everything here is under New York influence, the Commanding General is a New Yorker, and most of the Brigades are composed largely of New York Regiments, which gives the tone to the whole town. I am about being relieved from my Quarter Master's duties, as Lieut. Wise will report to the Regiment for duty before the month is out…You see the essence of the so called 'red tapeism' in that department…As usual when I write you, it is either before or after a Blackwater scrape. Now, we have a large force out, and the enemy are reported in force this side of the river. We have not got our marching orders yet…Without bragging, I can say that we are far ahead of any company in the Regiment, it is so conceded by all the officers, both Field and line…" VG.
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