2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
War-date Union soldier's letter written by Sgt. James S. Stratton, 12th New Jersey Infantry, KIA at Ream's Station on August 25, 1864, 4p. quarto, Camp of 12th Regt. N.J. Vols, Two miles above Falmouth, Va., February 25, 1863, and reads in part: "…During the night the snow was falling the camp guards suffered severely, But three men remained at their posts - the others in common parlance 'looked out for No. 1' I heard [Pvt.] Will Moore [KIA Chancellorsville] says that he with two others was found in the sutler's establishment when the guards were taken off, which was not until morning. This move of taking off guards affords much pleasure to all the men because it avoids many hours suffering from the severity of the weather….Sgt. Stratton, three corporals and twenty five men were on picket on Monday and returned to camp yesterday…Lt. [Joseph] Pierson [KIA Chancellorsville] with fifteen other commissioned officers of the regt were also out. They were on duty near the river and were in close proximity to the rebs. A flag of truce went over during the day - accompanying which was Sam Hadley and one or two others. Some French official on the other side the Rappahannock desired permission I believe to go to Washington, but Uncle Joseph H. 'couldn't discover the point' and poor Frenchy went away disappointed…By the way, one of the Suts [Sutlers] was robbed a few days ago, whilst returning from Belle Plains. He met with better success however in his last trip two days ago, being then accompanied by J.K. Shoemaker who was armed with gun and revolver…" VG.
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