2024-07 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2024
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written on Union Zouave patriotic stationery, by Pvt. R. Mitchell Aiken, Co. B, 33rd Illinois Vols., Old Town Landing, Arkansas, July 28, 1862, to his mother, in part: "- we left Helena day before yesterday (26), two Regts of us, 33rd and 11th Wis[consin]. Our trains came by land and the Regts. by water - we have had a small boat ride already of about twenty miles. We are not permanently camped here - we are rather [in] a poor place, no good water nothing, but the river water to use and that is very muddy - the next big move we make will be to Vicksburg and see if we cant whip them out of that place. Our gunboats have tried it, but had to fall back. They cannot take it without a land force to cooperate with them. I guess we are the chaps that can do it. There was a steam ram [USS Essex] passed up yesterday that had been in the fight at Vicksburg. It has been pretty badly used. [The USS Essex was hit 42 times during its fight with the CSS Arkansas on July 22, 1862.] The gun boat Carondelet passed up this morning. The first real gun boat I ever seen. It looked savage. - we have plenty to eat now and plenty to wear - we drew new clothing at Helena. I drew my second pair of pants - and first hat. I wear my first cap until I drew my hat - that is doing pretty well for a year or very near - direct you next to R. M. Aiken, Memphis, Tenn., Gen. Steele's Division." Overall VG.
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