2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
Another Union Soldier’s FIFTEEN Letter Group written during the Civil War by Elbridge Taylor Yardley entered the war June 1, 1862 as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. K of the 4th. Datelined: Delaware House, Wilmington, Delaware, September 24, 1862, to his future wife, Clara Hall, in part “I seat myself to write this my first letter to the one I love and as I am not adept in writing love letters, you will excuse me if this partakes something of a practical turn. ... You no doubt have heard ere this that my brother Dave 1 was wounded in the late battle at Antietam Creek, He arrived last evening in Philadelphia. Pap and I were there to meet him. He is now in the hospital corner of 22nd and Wood Streets, Philadelphia. Pa. Pap is with him. He has a painful wound in his left foot—a rifle ball having gone clear through it. He also has a rifle ball just above his left knee. ... He was wounded while bravely leading his company to the charge and was, I am told, 20 feet in advance of his company when he fell. and about an equal distance from the enemy. How proud I feel in having such a brother—so brave, so courageous, so noble. ...” Datelined: Camp —– near Alexandria, Virginia, December 12th 1862 to Clara, in part “After a fatiguing march of about 10 miles through the mud and water, we have reached this place where I suppose we will have to remain for some time. ... I have a bayonet stuck in the ground with a candle init to write by the heavens for my canopy ...” Datelined: Camp Gilpin, Gloucester Point, Virginia, March 22nd 1863 to Clara, in part “I was much surprised on landing at Fortress Monroe to find the ground covered with several inches of snow and slush, and found on enquiring that a terrible storm had raged in this neighborhood on Friday and Saturday, so fierce was the warring of elements that the boas between Yorktown and Fortress Monroe were unable to make their usual trips for two days and the boat which I came up in yesterday was the first that had been up since the storm. ...” Dateline: Camp Gilpin, Gloucester Point, Virginia, April 11th 1862, to Clara, in full, “I would respectfully submit—that this is the third time I have written to you and as yet have received no reply. I would crave that your most gracious ladyship would condescend an early reply to this, if such be not incompatible with your inclinations. I am most respectfully your obedient servant ..” Dateline: Camp Gilpin, Gloucester Point, Virginia, May 3rd 1863 to Clara, in part “Our chaplain preached a sermon this evening on the parade ground to a very large and attentive audience, myself being one of the number. As I listened to beautiful words of the man of God, my thoughts ran back to similar occasions in the woods of Old Delaware on last summer. ... But the good time is coming and from all accounts we will soon have plenty to do with fighting Rebels. A considerable force is reported to be in our immediate vicinity. There will be an expedition probably go out tomorrow to dislodge them which I shall certainly be with if I can. ...” Datelined: Camp Gilpin, Gloucester Point, Virginia, May 12th 1863 to Clara, in part “But as it is, I cannot but think it a sin for us to remain here, living in comparative ease and luxury while other less fortunate brothers in arms are nobly fighting and pouring out their life’s blood in defense of our count ... Even now, perhaps, my dearest brother is lying dead or dying on the battlefield. Kind Heaven! grant that it may not be so, but I am sure he would not wish a more glorious death. ... We have had quite exciting times here for the last week occasioned by the arrival in our lines of portions of Stoneman’s Cavalry consisting of the 12th Illinois & 20th New York Cavalry, they having accomplished the most daring and successful raid on record. ...” Datelined: Camp Gilpin, Gloucester Point, Virginia, June 1st 1863 to Clara, in part “Why don’t you write to me? The suspense is torturing. I fear that you are very ill or something dreadful has happened. ...” Dateline: Fort Keyes, Gloucester Point, Virginia, July 11th 1863 to Clara, in part “Clara, I am ashamed of myself for writing such a letter to you. Do forgive me and if I did imply any mistrust ... Then I was penned up in the hospital while the regiment was marching daily in the direction of Richmond winning laurels for itself which I could not share. ... You have the truest and best heart and are the nicest, dearest girl that ever blessed man with her regards. Heaven forgive me if I ever give you occasion to think I mistrust you again. ...” Datelined: Ft. Keyes, Gloucester Point, Virginia, July 12th 1863 to Clara, in part “We have marching orders and I suppose are to go to Washington. If any farther, I do not know. Be of good cheer and rest assured if the 4th Delaware does get a chance at Old Lee, she will not disgrace herself. ...” Datelined: Camp 4th Delaware Infantry, Fairfax Court House, Va., January 26, 1864, to Clara, in part “What a nice thing it is to have the esteem of those upon one daily associates with. Colonel [Arthur H.] Grimshaw was particularly cordial in his greeting and at once offered me a position on his staff (you must know he is now commanding a brigade) but after considering the matter concluded to accept the Acting Adjutancy of the Regiment instead which was also offered me. ...A soldier when he lies his head down to rest at night never knows but what he will be miles away ere the next night...” Datelined: Headquarters 4th Delaware Vols. In the field, 8 miles N. of Richmond, June 2nd 1864, to Clara, in part “I snatch a few moments to write to you midst the whizzing of bullets and the bursting of shells. We reached this army (Army of Potomac) yesterday after a march ordered from Port Royal on the Rappahannock. We are now in line of battle and throwing up breastworks within 200 yards and in plain sight of the Rebel lines. Our loss has as yet been very small. I am safe. ...” Dateline: Headquarters 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th A. C., December 1, 1864, to Clara, in part “Your long silence perplexes me and I am distracted with doubts and fears. I feared you were ill when I wrote my second letter but now I am sure you are dangerously so. Please, darling, this suspense is terrible. ..” Datelined: Headquarters 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th A. C., December 24, 1864, to Clara, in part “hings look very fair now for a speedy termination of the war. We have just received news of the unconditional surrender of Savannah to Sherman and the capture of Ft. Fisher off Wilmington, N. C. by the forces under Butler and Porter. We have also news of the serious illness of the Rebel President and reports that the citizens of Richmond are on the eve of starvation for the want of the necessaries of life. All these items point to the speedy overthrow of the rebellion and it certainly cannot long survive the effects of such repeated blows at its vitals as Thomas, Sherman, and Butler have inflicted and Grant and Meade soon will inflict. I confidently expect to see our glorious Union united before mid summer....” Datelined: Headquarters 2nd Division, 5th Army Corps, February 9th 1865, to Clara, in part “I reached the command yesterday morning and found them in a plight indeed, having been fighting for two days in the most inclement weather and the men without any shelter whatever (for particulars, see the papers). There has been no fighting since I came but fear that you might be anxious on my account ...” Datelined: Near Moonsville, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1865 to Clara, in part “I am now at Uncle John Hendrickson’s within sight of the City of Trenton. Have just been up a cherry tree and have eaten of the luscious fruit until I can eat no more. I have had a splendid time and Oh! what a kind reception I have met with. Everybody seems glad to see me and my dear old aunties that I have not seen so long a time welcome me with open arms. Congratulations upon congratulations are heaped upon me for my safe escape from the perils of war ...” Additionally, there are 10 letters (post war) written by Clara to Eldridge.
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