2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
Union soldier’s 4 pp letter with original cover and photo, written by Wesley Blanchard who enlisted in October 1861 to serve in Co. H, 24th Massachusetts Infantry. He reenlisted in January 1864 and did not muster out of the service until 20 January 1866 at Richmond, Virginia. At the time of this letter, Blanchard was a Steward at the Castle Thunder Prison which housed both US & CS prisoners. His military records indicates that he was wounded sometime in 1864 but there are no specifics. After the fall of Richmond, the 24th Massachusetts was ordered to the city to preserve order. They set up camp on the corner of Franklin and Nineteenth Streets in Wright’s Tobacco Factory. They were placed as guards at Libby Prison and Castle Thunder where ex-rebels were detained. Datelined: Castle Thunder [Richmond] December 6, 1865, in part “As I was telling—thinking—my thoughts roam back to you and those happy hours we passed together one year ago. Little did we think then that the present time I should be so far away but luck does not always favor our expectations. ... We have not moved yet but shall soon take up our abode at Libby Prison as it is nearly complete for our admittance. We have at present 59 prisoners of all classes. ... Military law yet rules in the city. Ben. Butler is expected here to take command of this department. There will be sport then. Many secesh will feel what it is to come down. They have not had a very strict man to control them. There is robbing done here every night upon the streets. Nearly every day we see pass by our door men handcuffed and tied to the saddle of the Orderly men who have committed offenses and are committed to the State penitentiary for a number of years. Of all places, that is the worst. They receive hard bread and pork, coffee & sugar. That is all they are allowed. No soap to wash with. That is a hard life—one which I should pray to never to see. ... Do please write. Give m respects to all. Yours truly, — W. Blanchard”. Plus, a mounted albumen photo, arch cut, and ID’d on the mount “Castle Thunder, Richmond VA, Jan.7th, 1898.
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