Description:

54TH MASSACHUSETTS OFFICER'S WAR-DATE LETTER
WILLIAM L. WHITNEY (1844 - 1922) American military officer, First Lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Vols. He enlisted as a Second Lieutenant on 3 December 1864, mustered 22 January 1865; promoted to First Lieutenant on 28 April 1865, and discharged 20 August 1865 with his regiment. Historic content war-date A.L.S. on very rare 'Head Quarters 54th Regiment Mass. Volunteers' letterhead, 4pp. 8vo., Georgetown, SC, Apr. 30, 1865 to 'Julia', probably his sister. penned four days after Johnston's surrender (but technically while the war was still underway) and less than two weeks after the bloody engagement at Boykin's Mill. Fine content describing the end of hostilities, in small part: '...We were in the centre of S. Carolina when a flag of truce came to us from the rebs saying that there had been a cessation of hostilities...the Gen. ordered the guns to be discharged and three rousing cheers to be given which was done and we started back for Georgetown with a white flag in our advance. The night before we destroyed a large lot of stores, locomotives & cars...Then we entered Camden, there were four large Hospts. full of reb soldiers, wounded and sick, they came to the doors and windows to see us (colored troops) march by singing John Brown and other songs which the men did in every place they took, even when the Johnnies were leaving the other end of the town...' Text has lightened a bit but remains legible, else very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

June 16, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000