2009-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009
Union soldier's letter archive by Private Elbridge Pond, MA 2nd Heavy Artillery, all written to Charles Squire (addressed in the letters as "Friend") includes (15) letters, all with covers and (3) pieces of Confederate currency, reading, in part: [May 26, '62, Irvington]…Jeff Davis is at liberty. I expect you know it seems rather hard for a soldier to think he should let off so easy…[Sep. 27, '63, Newbern, NC]…we fired a salute of our guns yesterday in honor of the capture of 25000 prisoners and several light pieces by General Sheridan…[November 12, '63, Morehead City]…on my way to Boston I got there about 1 o'clock. I was sworn in the 11 of Aug. we left the state the 11 of Sep. we have been out here 2 months…[June 27, '64]…the niger wenches are around here thick than bees with pies and cakes. Some of them good and some good for nothing. They sell them for 5 cents…[July 3, '64, Newbern]…they expect to be attacked before long. They are sending the 100 days men…to Washington…[August 28, '64, Newbern]…I wish you would tell me all about what you think of the war…[I] think the war will end before next July…PLUS; October 14,'64, Newbern, a brief letter with (3) State of North Carolina 10c fractional currency. Then [October 31,'64, Newbern], in part, "all you see is niggers passing to and fro with a washtub on their head," and later, "My bunk mate is dead. He died with the yellow fever…[December 5,'64, Newbern]…the woods are full of varmints as the nigers call them. Gray squirrels and possums and coons are thick. I have got some log traps set as the nigers say…[Jan 7, '65]…a soldier does not know much what is going on. Last night I heard firing up to Wilmington…[Feb 12, '65]…the rifles we have we could not hit a 40 foot bacon. They are Enfields…[May 21, '65, Kinston]…we expect to go to New Berne and be discharged although we do not know for certain…[July 2, '65, New Bern]…I should be home by the 4th…[July 3, '65, New Bern]…I forgot to speak about a box that I am going to send to you to take care of till I get there…[July 12, '65, New Bern]…the men are dying off at the rate of 2 a day…there is a great many of our men have deserted from this regiment…". Pond was mustered out on 9/3/1865 at Wilmington, NC. Overall VG.
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