2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
Don Carlos Newton (1832-1893) At the breaking out of the great rebellion, Capt. Newton laid aside his business affairs, helped to organize the 52 Regiment, Illinois Infantry, and gave unhesitatingly, his best energies to the cause of the Union. He was elected Lieutenant of Company D, 52 Regiment Illinois Infantry. In December of the same year he was promoted to Captain of his Company. He was actively engaged in the service during his three year term, and was mustered out at Savannah, Ga., in 1864, having participated in the battles commencing at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege and battle of Corinth, Luka, the marches and battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and the Grand March with Sherman to the Sea. At the close of the war he returned to Batavia and resumed his business interests, which he continued up to the time of his death. The first is 4pp, to his wife, datelined Stewartsville, [Missouri] , December 17, 1861, in part “ Nine o’clock at night & I have just returned from a scout. The news came in about 11 today that about 12 of Co. B were attacked about 7 miles south of here by a band of Rebels & compelled to retreat & wanted reinforcements. Lieut. [William H.] Wilcox of Co. G & myself formed up a company of 75 men & went to their relief. After footing it about 7 miles, we came in sight of some of them & undertook to surround them but they got sight of us and run like the Devil (forgive me the expression). We sent some shots after them & followed to the ring leader’s house & captured 2 horses, one sabre & belt, one double barrel shotgun, about 2 lb. of rifle powder, about 50 musket cartridges, 15 or 20 turkeys, ducks, geese, &c. Got back very tired, you better believe. This is hard work. ... I yesterday fetched in 2 horses, 1 mule, 2 prisoners, but I believe they are going to set them at liberty on their taking the oath. ... They are going to put 7,000 men on the line of this [rail]road to rake down and harrow the Rebels. They are the worse lot of men I ever saw. ....” ... plus... 2pp, to his with printed “Headquarters 52nd Regt. Ill. Vols. Stewartsville, Mo” letter head, to his wife, Jan. 1, 186, in part “I have been out scouting all day & have footed it over 20 miles and my legs ache like the deuce. I got 7 head of cattle. ... I now think that I will get a furlough in March for 8 or 10 days at least. The Colonel has promised me one if we stay here but life is very uncertain & armies more so. He don’t know but we may be ordered from here tomorrow. ...” ... plus ... 2p. to his wife, datelined Camp Montgomery [Mississippi] August 16, 1862, in part, “Why don’t their patriotism put them in the front rank way down here in Dixie? I know. We who have borne the front and brunt of the battle for a year can’t afford to buy them at the price they seem to think they are worth. ... hy don’t they draft as they ought to. I see by this morning’s paper that the draft has been postponed until the 1st of September. ... Coffin, you say, will enlist if they will make him Captain. Now he will make a first rate officer but why does he not put his name in on the list & go in and help get up the company if he wants to be Captain. I don’t like the spirit. I will go if I can be Captain. ... I know this, that if anyone has interfered with the Old 52nd, someone has got hurt and that badly. ...” ... plus, 2p. to his wife, datelined Camp Montgomery, Mississipp, August 21, 1862, in part “Over in Buell’s Division about 70 miles from here they are expecting a fight soon. All is quiet here. Rosecrans’ Division who were just east of us have gone to reinforce him. We are doing pretty heavy picket duty going once in 3 or 4 days. ... I see from paper read today that there is some prospect of government making a special draft to fill us up to the maximum number. Won’t we feel grand when it is done. I believe give us 400 more men as good as these we have and we could whip a rebel brigade. ...” ... plus, 2p. to his wife, datelined Camp Montgomery, Mississipp, August 29, 1862, in part “There is some talk that Price is advancing on this place with 30,000 men but we don’t much believe it, One thing is sure, that they had better remember what road they come on for they will need it soon for a back track & sore heads will be plenty among them if they coe here now, I tell you. The old bruisers of Shiloh are not to be caught napping & if they come, wide awake and full of fleas will be our motto ... They pitched in ay Rienza a day or two ago and got most beautifully dressed out, 2 killed & 10 or 12 wounded about 20 taken prisoners. This is the way we are going to serve them now. ... The 1st Board of Trade Regiment [72nd Illinois Regiment] arrived here last evening so they say all ready for action. They are camped about 2 miles east of us over on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. ...” ... plus, ... 2p. to his wife, datelined Camp Montgomery, Mississipp, September 9, 1862, in part “Our troops have all been called in from Rienza and some of them sent North. We are under orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment’s notice and have to pack our trunks every night when we go to bed ready for a start. ... Latham has got to stand court martial but will get off easy I think. I am sorry he ever came back as he is not fit for service. Nor will he ever be, do I think. ... We have got some splendid forts around the town & they don’t like the appearance of them mounted with heavy guns. Night before last I only slept about 2 hours. Last night, being Officer of the Day, I had to make the grand rounds after 12 & so did not get to sleep until half past one so I do not feel peculiarly bright today ...” ...plus ... 2p. to his wife, datelined Corinth Mississippi, November 18, 1862, in part, “I have been hard at work all day fixing up my tent and have it all done. I have a tent 9 feet square and an addition 6 x 9 all carpeted & floored, a good stove up. ... I think that it will improve your health to come down hear if you can stand the journey. ....”
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