2009-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009
A good war-date Confederate officer's letter, 3pp. 8vo., written in ink by Sgt. John T. Mason 28th North Carolina, Co. E [KIA Gaines Mills, Va., June 30, 1862], "Head Quarters, Camp Heath, [Wilmington, N. C.], Jan. 12, 1862 concerning the regiment's uniform and of guarding Wilmington against Yankee landing forces, in part: "…Lieut. [Duncan A.] Mc[Rae] asked me what Pa come for…my coat, pants and vest all fit me well and looks well much better than our uniforms. All the boys…wants some cloth like mine. We have some splendid overcoats; but I don't think much of the jackets…the pants are black with a yellow strip; jackets are grey made of coarse negro cloth, little round bobtail jackets. We non-commissioned officers have had a treat from Capt. Hill of the Halifax company. He gave us a saber and a large horseman pistol. We have about 30 miles of coast to guard and it takes about half of our men on picket. We have every boat in the [Middle] Sound under our charge…no lights are allowed in the sound at night. A regiment out from Virginia was moved on the Sound day before last, part of Wise's legion. Poor soldiers…some were so sick they had to be carried to the hospital in blankets. We have got our shanty most done to cook in squads…the way they cook here you cant eat it unless you are most perished…". Mason enlisted on Aug. 1, 1861 and served until killed in action during the Seven Day's campaign against McClellan in 1862. VG.
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