Three Letters From The New York "The Herkimer Regiment"

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025

Grouping of 3 Union soldier letters written by Philip Crewell who enlisted 5/1/61 at Columbua NY, mustered into F Co. NY 34th Infantry the "Herkimer Regiment, and mustered out 6/30/63. The first 3pp. letter, datelined Camp Harrison Landing, July 16, 1862, written to his father and separately to his brother. In part, “We cant muster but four hundred and out of that one hundred and fifty sick, two hundred fifty fit for duty; the second part to his brother, “I don’t know what they mean to do with our regiment for some say that we will be consolidated ... I am your brother that shared in the hardest fight of this retreat that was on Monday (McCellan’s inexplicable retreat following a major victory at Malvern Hill in July 1862 undoubtedly lengthened the conflict”. ...plus, the second 2pp., datelined Camp near James River, July 25, 1862 to his brother. In part, “John is gaining fast, so fast that he thought he was well enough for duty. I have taken care of him the best I know how (Philip’s brother John would die of disease 8/22/62). ... The third 2pp. letter datelined Camp near James River to his brother. In part, “John is about the same ... If they go in a battle in this hot weather, I am afraid that we are defeated and if we ever are driven back again as we were in of Richmond, we will lose this campaign and nothing will save us. If they have given McClellan the three thousand men that they now have to use, we never would have had to leave the place we had and by this time, the great residence of Jeff Davis would have been ours.” The 733 men of the 34th New York Infantry, were known as "The Herkimer Regiment" because that's where most of them came from, were heading off to what was then called "the seat of war."

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