2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
Autograph Letter Signed by Captain Ellis C. Strouss, 4p. quarto, Camp of the 57th Regt. Pa. Vet. Vols, Near Petersburg, Virginia, February 19, 1865, and reads in part: “...I had intended to visit the 150th Regt. P.V. to see Peter, but I learned that the Brigade to which he belongs had been sent to Elmira, N.Y. to enforce the draft if it should become necessary...We have been very busy lately in building new camps and fortifying the ground that we gained by our late move. I do not think that any extensive movements will be made by the Army until Gen. Sherman gets a position which will endanger the city of Richmond & I think that this army & that of Sherman’s will operate together. We can never carry the Rebel works near Petersburg by a direct assault. We must succeed in taking them by a flank movement, or as the Dutchman said by ‘coming around de corner.’ We have made several movements on their flank each one meeting with success, every move we have made toward their right flank has brought us nearer the south side rail road. This road is the chief source of the Rebel supplies. We have one Fort within canon shot of the road but it is not near enough to enable us to shell their trains with accuracy. One more move if attended with our usual success will give us possession of the road. Sherman has already played the very decue, with their rail roads in Georgia and South Carolina. One of my men got a Richmond paper from a rebel picket, a few days ago. In speaking of Sherman and his movements it said, ‘Sherman must be disposed of or starvation will ensue.’ One thing is plain, and that is, if our Armies are as successful in the coming summer as they have been in the past the Rebellion will be ended and peace restored before next fall...and America will yet be, the freest nation, and the greatest Republic on the earth...I am much obliged to you for tendering me the use of the ‘Blacksmith shop’, like the trousers you speak of, I will have it painted in Red, White & Blue, with crossed swords & crossed canon, on the gable ends to remind the passer by, that the occupant was once engaged in the military proffession...” VG.
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