September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Chaplain Edward Furbish, 25th Maine Vol. Infantry, 5-1/2pp. quarto & octavo, Arlington Heights, December 10, 1862, giving a detailed description and drawings of his quarters and on presiding over the funeral of a fallen comrade. In part: "[I] am now waiting to accompany the remains of the young man [20 year old, Pvt. Alonzo] Smith who died [of disease] last evening to their last resting place...he suffered much trouble in mind...may it be well with him, but I fear it is not...there was little opportunity to talk with him...the men have begun work on my cabin...my tent is down [and] the building going up...meanwhile I lodge in...Col's [Francis Fessenden future major general who was WIA at Cane River Crossing, La. April 23, 1864] cabin with the Adj [Thomas H. Hubbard future brevet brigadier general]...there are two fire places...the outside is like any cabin the door in the center of the end & window in the center of the opposite end...[I] am called to the funeral...have been to the funeral [and am] back...I...was to give you a description of the Col's quarters...in the center of the cabin...is a partition which makes two rooms. The partition does not reach the ceiling...the Col occupies the room where the window is. The adjutant the other...here is the outside [crude drawing of a cabin]...here is the inside of the Col's room where I was writing before the funeral...[crude drawing of the interior]...the bunk (B) & table(T). In front of the table is the fireplace...I am writing at a heavy table near the fireplace. Here is the plan of the room where your boy will sleep...[crude drawing of the floor plan]. The door is (d)...& F is the fireplace...B the bunk where the adjutant sleeps...D is the outside door...the negroes out here do not know anything in regard to what I should want of them...shall look about & if I can find one shall take him. A white man educated here is not worth much, a negro may be worth a little more but...not so good as a man...in our own New England..." Original transmittal cover is included. Overall very good.
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