2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
Union soldier's 8pp. letter written by William Carleton Ireland who mustered into "D" Co. MA 44th Infantry , 9/12/1862. He was Mustered Out on 6/18/1863 at Readville, MA. Datelined Camp Stevenson, New Bern, [NC], March 20, 1863. In part, "You seem to mistake my new position of Brigade clerk! When Col. Lee was made an Acting Brig. General, Wallace Hinckley was made Acting Asst. Adjutant General on Lee's staff. I am still with him (W H.) and my work has changed only. My time is less occupied and I can ride more. When General Stevenson returns the A. A. A. G. will again be Regiment Adjutant and I shall renew my old duties in doing the regimental writing. D'ye see? When the Adjutant went to Washington [N. C.], I loaned him my revolver' a good representative, in good hands. Frank has spoken to me before about adopting Law as my profession, but I do not think now that any profession could satisfy me for a life study. ... Yesterday I had agreed to accompany Frank Adams on a ride to the pickets. In the morning it rained very fast but I was well protected against the rain and with a good horse started. ... We then rode on, passing some four or five plantations and all bearing a look of neglect. We rode up to one or two and picked some plum and peach blossoms to dress the horses' heads with. We lost our way once but came across a cavalry scout, asked and was told the right road. We at length came to the picket camp and after putting our horses under shelter, went about camp and visited our friends. ... The Rebs never trouble them so there is no danger to be feared. They live in shelter tents which they use as roofs to a block foundation thus: Such a hut as the one I have hastily sketched is built for five and with a large fireplace and brick chimney with a barrel top, they keep very comfortable indeed. .... "Ned," the Adjutant's hostler, keeps me in wood and water. He is an old soldier of the Regular Army and has been in all the hard fights ... when "Billy Wilson's Zouaves" we're attacked, his Battery (D, 1st U. S. Artillery) was engaged and in a charge a Rebel officer cut him in two places on his body with his saber. Ned shot him. ....
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