“...the war now is for the nigger and not the Union...”

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008

War-date Autograph Letter Signed, “N.E. Doolittle” 89th New York Infantry, 3p. octavo, Camp Opposite Fredericksburg, January 20, 1863, with cover, it reads in part: “...we have been under marching orders now for two or threedays we have had our rations ready to go at any time. We expected to go before now I spose the reason we have not gone yet is that several brigades have stacked their arms and swore they would not go in to any fight without their pay & they did not care about fighting for niggers anyway. Sickles Brigade for one they had 8 months pay due them they then telegraphed to Washington for the pay master he came & paid them. That did no good then they ordered two or three batteries & fired blank cartridges & that did not scare them. The Irish Brig. were in the same way. Three Cos in the 108 stacked their arms too. Well I don’t believe you can find a soldier in this whole army that wants to fight for niggers for the war now is for the nigger and not the Union...For my part my patriotism is all gone now. I don’t care about fighting for niggers either & that is the talk all through the army. Now it has grown to an enormous state since our last battle in this army. As for whipping the rebels we never can do it for they are stronger today than they were a year ago & they all work together & we don’t. They are just as sure of gaining their Independence as anything can be...” VG.

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