2022-07 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2022
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4 1/2pp, 8vo., on George Washington embossed patriotic stationery, written by Pvt. William R. Tittle, Co. H, 55th Ohio Vols., Romney, [western Va.], April 7, 1862, reading, in part: "-they did not have teams enough to have the baggage - what we can carry - that is our over coats, government blankets, rubber coats and shirts - there was a great many things thrown away - the citizens hauled every thing a way. We wont carry our overcoats very long - here it is warm in daytime and night is quite cold - there is a good many slaves down here - we passed some very fine nigger plantations. We could see - few men but plenty of little ones and wenches - I don't know how the fences is going to be repaired for the timber is scarce and small. The fences is badly destroyed - Romney is located in a nice place - it looked well once but [now] it looks very bad - few folks living in it - nothing going on - no stores or groceries. [There is] one tavern. The whole town looks desolate. The women talk secesh generally - a good many [are] dressed in black. They say that a good many has died with the typhoid fever but I think some has died very suddenly. I was in the graveyard Sunday evening. It is a nice place. There is a good many new graves in it, but there is only two that is marked - and they are Georgia volunteers. The women looks middling sour - Co. H. is quartered in the court house. It has been a nice house but is considerably spoiled [by] our tents - we have got to stay here and build that bridge. The one that was burnt the first time that we was at New Creek. We crossed the river on the Wier bridge. It is 7 1/2 miles below Romney. The reason we didn't go there the other time was [that] the rebels had burnt part of it, but it is [now] repaired - [April 8th] - there is quite a good many left at Grafton. Some came along that was sent back on account of having to march. Colonel [future ranked BBG John Calvin] Lee has been gone for 6 or seven weeks. They say he is at Charleston, VA on business and the major is in Cumberland, sick. He didn't come any further with us - direct to via Cumberland to William R. Tittle…" The original patriotic transmittal cover is also included. Overall VG.
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