2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
A pair of Confederate soldier’s letters written by 2nd Lt. William M. Sentell of Co. B, 28th Louisiana (Gray’s). This regiment was organized during the early spring of 1862 at Camp Monroe. William is believed to have been killed in the fighting in May 1863 and was probably buried on the field of battle in an unknown grave. Lt. Wm. Sentell is mentioned frequently in No Pardons to Ask, nor Apologies to Make: The Journal of William Henry King, Gray’s 28th Louisiana Infantry Regiment. The first letter, datelined Camp Monroe, May 22, 1862 to his brother, in part “ I wish now to make another request of you and wish this more particularly attended than anything else. That is to get my best cloth coat from my ward robe [and] have it thoroughly cleaned. I wish this coat for a uniform coat. I will have the stripes and buttons put on here. I expect I will have to cut the buttons from my grey coat I have here. I must have this soon. I am here without a sword and need one very badly. ... I expect a good sword will cost me some 40 or 50 dollars. ... I cannot tell you when we will leave this place. A number of reports are in circulation. I give them no credit. ... We are drilling every day by company ... I saw the Lieut. Governor yesterday. He said he had the power from Governor Moore to establish a Camp of Instruction here and thought he would have all conscripts here in 30 days. Your brother, — W. M. Sentell.” ... plus, datelined June 2, 1862 to his brother, in part “The Adjutant says we will move tomorrow or next day 6 miles north of Vienna. ... Col. Gray has gone to Richmond to receive orders and get money for the regiment. He will be gone some 3 or 4 weeks I reckon. ... Mr. Harper of our company died of quinsy last week. His body was carried home. ... I wish you to keep all of our Bank bills. Hold them as same as Gold, for the present Confederate money is going down fast. ....”
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