2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
A good Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written on "We Are Coming, Father Abraham" patriotic stationery by Pvt. Theodore S. Downes, Co. D, 16th Maine Vols., Sharpsburg, "Mireland", Oct. 15, 1862. Downes was accidentally wounded in the hand [leading amputation] while on guard duty near Waterford, Va., on Nov. 4, 1862. Reading, in part: "Mr. Ritchard, Sir I will drop you a few lines - recd your letter on the 27 of Sept. stating you had not got my town bounty. I answered that letter & have not recd any answer from it. I have written you 5 letters & recd only one - I heard you broke open my wife's letter - I felt rather vext. I hope you had no bad motive in it. I know that my business lays in your hands, but I hope you wont [hurt] me or mine - tell my wife I have not recd any more since I have been here & I send her more of my bounty than I kept myself - remember you are a husband & father of children & if you was here you would wish them to have a friend therefore I shall expect you to befriend mine. Tell my wife to be of good courage - I say as a friend to stay at home. We lay on the Potomac quite - a small raid by cavalry by (Stuart) into Pennsylvania & done some few injuries but did not get off with a good deal. They are in Virginia again - direct to me 16th Me. Regt. Co. D - T. S. Downes." Minor soiling, else VG.
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