2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
Union soldier’s 4pp pencil letter written to his mother on patriotic lettersheet with original cover by George F. Brown who on 6/29/1861, mustered into "H" Co. Massachusetts 16th Infantry, and was KIA on 7/2/1863 at Gettysburg, PA. Datelined : Camp Near Fort Worth, Alexandria VA., Sept. 19th ‘62, in part “I don’t know what you think we are made of ... you think we can lug as much clothing as we have at home. We have a tent, one rubber one wool blanket and an overcoat to carry ... that is load enough for a jackass ... digging rifle pits around these hills. Savage was taken prisoner is at Annapolis ...” The Massachusetts brothers, George and Charles Brown, were both mortally wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. On July 21, 1863, residents of the town of Waltham, Massachusetts gathered at the First Methodist Society to comfort a widowed mother of two local young men who had perished on a distant battlefield in Pennsylvania. It was an impressive and touching service, conducted by members of the Masonic order, augmented by a solemn organ and choir. George F. Brown had enlisted at the same time with his brother, and was also mustered into Company H, but at the rank of sergeant. It was something of a miracle that the body of Lieutenant George F. Brown had been found. Lieutenant George F. Brown of Company B, had been shot through the brain and foot. Charles found himself posted at the Daniel Klingle place on the Emmitsburg road. It was nearly 7 p.m. on July 2, 1863 and the enemy was closing in from two directions at once, the 18th Mississippi approaching from the south, and the 10th and 11th Alabama from the west. In the merciless crossfire Charles was struck in the shoulder and in two other unspecified spots. While Mr. Greene was busy making arrangements for the recovery of George's body, Charles unexpectedly took a sudden turn for the worse. He succumbed on the morning of July 11. Now Mr. Greene stayed on to ensure both men were embalmed and transported to Waltham, where they could be properly honored and mourned. Both local heroes had rendered their “last full measure of devotion” to their country.
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