2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
Union soldier’s 2pp. letter written by James William Abert (1820-1897) who was on 7/1/1856, commissioned into US Regular Army 1st Eng Battn, written to Captain Charles Collis, Cmmdg Company Zouaves d’ Afrique. Datelined Headquarters of Maj. Gen. banks, Williamsport, Maryland, May 28th, 1862. In part, “I can not permit this occasion of our safe return ... to pass without testifying my thanks for the services you and your gallant company so well performed in defending the rear of this army in its critical retreat from Strasburg. ... While being threatened with being outflanked by another regiment of the Enemy, would seem incredible .... I considered it a great honor to have selected a position you so well defended. The quiet steady coolness displayed by the men was admirable ... I think the daring conduct of your little command should be brought to the special notice of the Governor, and he should give a command of of sufficient magnitude ...” Collis and the rest of the rearguard eventually moved west, then north, to reunite with Banks’s command. Unable to find Banks, they continued all the way to the Potomac River, reaching Hancock, Maryland, on May 26th. They had marched over 140 miles in under two days. The Confederates could not catch up to Banks’s men. The 114th Pennsylvania was the brain-child of Charles H. T. Collis, an Irish immigrant who settled in Philadelphia and became a prominent young lawyer. Collis initially raised only a small company of men calling them the "Zouaves d'Afrique" which served while attached to other regiments. They saw action in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign, the Battle of Cedar Mountain, and the Battle of Antietam. The "Zouaves d'Afrique" were much admired for their military bearing and prowess in battle to the point that it was decided to raise a full-sized regiment which was given the numeric designation of 114th Volunteer Infantry.
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