2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
A moving war-date Union soldier's 3pp. 8vo., letter written in pencil by Pvt. Sylvester O'Dare, Co. F, 71st Penn. Vols. (1st California), Bolivar, Va., Oct. 16, 1862 to his parents crowing over the fact that he has survived more battles than the average soldier while quickly mentioning that his best friend was killed at Antietam, reading, in part: "…you need not be uneasy about me being taken prisoner. They would have to come through 50,00 men…Gen'l. Sumner commands this place…I have not seen Geo. Early since leaving Alexandria…I don't want any of you to trouble yourselves about me…I can get along in any place where…any white man ever did. The average number of battles a soldier lives through many say is five I have just been in twice that many and good as ever…but [in] the last Battle I lost my partner and best friend [Pvt. William Hardwood]. We enlisted together and was always together since we left Phila'da. He was killed instantly by my side. We were paid off yesterday…". Near fine.
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