2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
War-date Union cavalryman's letter, 4pp. 8vo., on Lady Liberty patriotic stationery, written by Private William H. Peck, Co. G, 3rd New York Cavalry, New Bern, [N. C.] Feb. 1, 1863," to his wife, in part: "- we have to drill everyday and are kept busy all theme. The expedition has left here for some point - there has a large army gone. Most everyone thinks that it has gone to Charleston - the officers think that the rebels are agoing to attack this place. There is a large body of them about 40 miles from here but we are preparing for them. Our soldiers are working night and day building forts, digging rifle pits, blockading the roads and putting the place in the best possible state of defense. There is twelve or fifteen thousand troops left here - ten thousand man can defend the city against fifty thousand. There is three forts just outside the city. One of them is a very large and strong one - it has a very large gun mounted on it and they are working night and day strengthening it - there will be a awful slaughter - I would rather there would be no more fighting. I wish that it would be settled and done with - I have got tired of war. I would be very glad to get home - pretty much all the soldiers are of the same mind. I have talked to a great many of them and I have not found a man but what is disgusted with the way the officers treat the men. A man is not treated as well as a nxxxr is at home - it makes no difference how well a man does his duty. If he is a private he ain't nobody and of no consequence. He is nothing but a slave - he must take off his hat if he comes into an officer's quarters. You spoke of my getting into office - it takes an almightily mean man to get office - it takes money and influence too - there has been men promoted since we have been here that don't know how to command a single platoon, young upstarts through the influence of rich friends but what's the use of talking about it. We have to grin and bear it - there is a great many Northern women here this winter, wives of officers. They make a great display. I don't see any soldier's wives. They don't get pay enough. They don't get pay enough to afford it. The officers get all the pay and eat all the victuals. The officers never eat or sleep with the men - Wm. H. Peck." Negligible spotting, else good.
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