2024-07 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2024
Impactful group of 9 letters written by Peter Bearl, a coal miner who enrolled Oct. 29, 1862 as a Private in Co. A, 10th Pa. Infantry, mustering in at Harrisburg, for 3 years. He transferred to Co. I, 191st Pennsylvania Infantry June 1, 1864. Mustered out with company June 28, 1865. Here are several exceprts from this group; Fort Good, Near Washington, 2/13/1862 to his brother Peter Bearl, in part, "... it is hard to get along and we dont drill, now we stand guard. ... there is no fun but we have plenty to eat and we have good bread ... we split timber in two then we lay on the soft side of it and so we sleep bully ..."... Camp Curtain, November 12, 1862, on patriotic stationary, to his wife, in part, "I want you to tell John Baker this. I can't write to him for this time. Tell him I am well at present time. I like soldier life well and I wish he was with me too and in uniform. We have more fun than old Somerset can afford. There was one in camp Simonds of the that died today. He got his cider and went out of his tent and fell over and was dead. ..." ... Camp of the 191st Regt. P. V., March 10, 1865 to his wife, in part, " ... You said you heard that I lost an arm. If I lost one of my arms, it is unknown to me altogether and I further more say it was a false report that I lost an arm. ..." ... Camp of the 191st P. V. Vols. March 16th 1865 to his wife, in part, "The reason that I wrote that I was coming home in a few days was this-the bill was before Congress to discharge all men who were enlisted for the unexpired term of regiments, but the bill did not pass so I was very badly fooled on those remarks. ... I have taken up a homestead of a hundred and sixty acres. It only cost me twenty dollars-the whole thing-and I guess I'll have to go out and improve it as soon as I come home. ..." ... Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 12th 186 to his wife. In part, "We left our quarters on the morning of the 29th and we had hard fighting and marching day and night until the 9th of April. We then had surrounded General Lee and his whole army on the 9th of April. About four o'clock, General Lee surrendered his whole army to General Grant. I think the war is about at an end. Gen. Lee has also advised General Johnston to surrender his army to General Sherman but we have not yet heard whether he has done so or not. But he would better do so for their main army is gone now. ... The soldiers of Lee's army are all being paroled and are going to their homes and they are all very glad that they are out of the army. ...." ... Camp of the 191st Pa. Vols, June 24, 1865 to his wife. In part, "... I can not tell you when I'll come home, but watch. Perhaps I come someday unexpected ..."
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