2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
The 71st Pennsylvania Losses Its First Officer To Rebel Marauders A good war-date Union soldier's 3pp. 4to., letter written in pencil by Pvt. Sylvester O'Dare, Co. F, 71st Penn. Vols. (1st California), Camp Advance, Va., Sept 23, 1861 to a parents outlining their move into Northern Virginia, losing their first officer, and wearing down the rebellion, reading, in part: "…we moved from Washington on the 5th [and] Crossed the Potomac River on the Chain Bridge…encamped on a hill about 3 miles from the Bridge…we are the most advanced troops in this Section. We have a large Fortification…that will command the whole neighborhood. (Named Fort Baker) There has been about 2 thousand men kept at work on it since…7th Sept. There is another one about a mile from us So the troops here are very strongly Fortified. We lost one Captain [James W. Lingenfelter] last Saturday he was shot by a Rebel who was concealed in the woods along the Road. Our Company and two other Companies were on Picket Duty 3 miles from the Camp. He was on a head with 7 men when they were fired upon by the Rebels and he was killed. They fired Back and supposed to have killed 6 of them. We carried him to camp he was sent to Philda…as for Liquor We get to see none. I have saw none since I came to Washington and none at Fortress Monroe it is Entirely Prohibited by the General. (McClellan) We are under him…your advice is Good and I will keep it. I know I broke it By Enlisting, but I done it in a Just cause. I volunteered my services to Defend that which my Forefathers fought for. And I will Forever uphold it. (The Stars and Stripes) I will never see it trampled upon by traitors who would burn you out of House and Home and let you Starve before they would give you aid…the time is fast coming when it will Proudly Float over the Entire South as it is a gaining Every Day. North Carolina and Kentucky is fast coming in. Kentucky is sending a great many troops to Fight for the Union and has ordered the Rebels to leave the State. Last week they, one night burnt, 4 Houses and 3 Barns Belonging to Union people 4 miles from here and stole all they had. The people Escaped and came to us for Protection. We gave the Rebels a chase but could not save the property as it was Destroyed before we could get there. The Rebels are loosing in Every way. Disease is creating a great Havoc among men. There is 15 thousand laying sick at Manassas and a great many at Richmond. They are getting Disenchanted and this winter will set hard against them. There is less sickness among the Northern troops then ever was known among that many men. If things go on Right this winter I think there will be little Fighting next Summer and we will be at Peace once more…S.O. Dare Co F, E.D. Baker, Col Regt. Washington D. C…". Near fine.
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