Description:

CIVIL WAR CAVALRYMEN LETTERS
A collection of six war date letters from two Union cavalrymen including five by a member of the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry by the name of Frank to his mother dating between March and August 1865. He writes, in small part: '...[Falls Church, Va.] May 3, 1865... marched to Frederick City... I left Frederick on the cards the next morning for Washington... [Ft. Leavenworth, July 2, 1865]... We passed by our old camp... at Sandy Hook...to wait for a train while we were there the Sanitary Commission gave each man a loaf of soft bread. We then passed on through Harpers Ferry... We were all on platform cars and got pretty wet. We passed thro a great many places but I can't remember half of them... At Parkersburg, which is the head of navigation on the Ohio River we took a boat for Cincinnati. We lived on deck... and waved our cups to the girls on the shore and cursed 'Uncle Sam' and a government that would send & soldier 3,000 miles from home when the war was over and they ought to send them home but such is soldiering... we reached Cincinnati... at just dark and camped in the street for the night and had a splendid time the citizens gave us all we wanted to eat... The next morning we took the cars again for St. Louis... We did not go through St Lous at all but stop[p]ed ont eh other side of the river at a place called Illinois Town Whare [sic] we took the Steam boat 'War Eagle' to go... whare we had to live on the deck... When about 50 miles from St L. we came up with a boat that that run out to a [?] and sunk took all her passengers and about 50 rebel cavalrymen who had taken the Oath and were going home. When we got to Ft. Leavenworth we came of[f] the boat feeling like a sailor... after a long voyage... The commander says we are to be re mounted and sent across the plains to Salt Lake...[Ft. Leavenworth, Aug. 2, 1865]... I am still Brigad[e] Ordnance Sergeant and like my place very much. tho I have had to work pretty hard get[t]ing the different regts ready to cross the plains. I went to Leavenworth City a few days ago and had a very nice time got my hair cut had a good dinner went to a circus &c &c..." The collection also includes a letter by George S. Stimpson of the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry, 4pp. 8vo., Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., June 7, 1864, "...I am still in the Hospital... Dr. Ainsworth has been relieved and sent to his regiment. the name of our new Dr. is John Williamson. he is a Contract Surgeon he is hired for three months. the boys appear to like him very well... Banks got a letter from Dr. Ainsworth this evening. he wrote that he had been kicked by a mule it cut a very bad place over his eye, you stated that you had a d[amne]d hard time of it when you was a marching from Sioux City to Yorktown. You will see plenty of... of that before your time is out... " Usual folds, light toning and soiling, else very good overall.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyer's should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. Customer's who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

October 9, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% 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 + $1,000