2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
Vivid war-date Union soldier's account of his hard service and of the battle at Harpers Ferry, Va., where his regiment, 126th New York Vols., was captured by Stonewall Jackson's forces during the Antietam campaign. A great content, 3pp. 8vo., letter written by Corp. James M. Barden, Co., F, 126th New York State Volunteers, "Chicago, Camp Douglas, Oct. 5, 1862". Unfortunately, Barden died of disease at Union Mills, Va., Feb. 23, 1863, in part: "-well Lou, I have seen a little war since I have been a soldier. I have had the satisfaction of seeing the rebels and shooting right at them. I suppose you have heard all about the fighting at the Ferry - I have seen some pretty hard times since I enlisted and I think I can stand it. I have went three days on two or three hard crackers and marched fifteen or twenty miles at the same time. We marched one hundred miles in six days with nothing but a few hard crackers to eat - I have been in an hours fight and the bullets whistled around my head pretty close. I have laid in a ditch about a foot deep 4 or 5 hours with the shells flying and bursting all around us - I can say I have seen something of war and I am not sick of it. If I should in anyway be discharged - I would enlist again. We are having easy time here at Chicago. We do not have anything to do but eat and drink. We wrestle, pitch quoits, run races, play ball and do anything to pass away the time. We don't know when we will leave here. We are liable to be exchanged anytime. The rebels when they took us prisoners treated us as well as we could be treated. I had long talks with the rebel soldiers. They all wished that the war would end one way or the other very soon - direct to: James M. Barden, 126 Regiment, N. Y. S. V., Co. F, Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois-". Near fine.
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