2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
A good war-date Union soldier's letter written by Quarter Master John P. DeMerit, 29th Wisconsin, 4pp. folio, in ink, Dauphine Is[land], Ala., Feb. 20, 1865, in part: "…Another incident of the past week, and one that has occasioned considerable comment, is the narrow escape of a boat from being wrecked with all on board while coming from New Orleans…the boat was loaded with the Ambulances and teams of a part of our Brigade and the men with them and baggage & stores for troops here…In this emergency they threw most of the mules and horses over board & wagons which lightened the ship so they were able to put back into the Miss river again, between 100 & 200 head of stock…were lost and considerable property…Those present say it looked awful to throw these animals into the water and still worse to see them swim around the Steamer struggling for life. They say that next morning mules could be seen swimming about and as a last resort grabbing each other by the ears. Eight men were lost by being blowed overboard. One man was in an ambulance and it was blown over board with him…" Also includes a good description of the structure of the Veteran Reserve Corps. VG.
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