Lot 79
CIVIL WAR CORRESPONDENCE OF DRUMMER CHARLES T. MOODY, 5TH NEW HAMPSHIRE
A fine correspondence comprising 20 A.Ls.S. by drummer Charles T. Moody of the 5th Regt. N.H.. The Fifth Regiment was formed in Concord and commissioned by Gov. Berry on August 27, 1861, led by Col. Edward E. Cross and participated in Rappahannock, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Antietam and many other significant engagements. Moody writes to friends and family on 8vo. and 4to. sheets and dating from February 1862 through September 1864. Morris writes on a variety of topics, in small part: "...[Feb. 2, 1862] Camp Near Falmouth...I have got the papers where you gave your consent for me to Enlist Col Cross never saw them when I Enlisted...he told me to report to my company that is the way I Enlisted...what do you think of Gen. Burnside's leaving the Army & Gen. Hooker taking command of the Army of the Potomac Ben. Sumner has left he says, he will not serve under Gen. Hooker...[Camp California, Mar. 5, 1862] Georgey is on picket...they had orders when they was on picket to pack up & advance on towards Bull Run in 40 minutes they expect to attack that place with the whole army of the Potomac is at Springfield Station near Fairfax Court House...[Camp Near Harrison's Landing Aug. 5, 1862] We are under marching orders there was heavy firing to the front this morning on the hill where we had our last fight on our retreat 3 divisions when this morning & the firing is ceased it means something...[Camp Newport News, Aug. 24, 1862] We came by the way of Williamsburg I saw where they fought there...I seen where the Balls struck the trees it must have been an awful Battle there they charged on the Breastworks where they played with their Artillery...at the time we was going to take Yorktown we came through ? where the Rebbels [sic] had forts built there...[Nov. 20, 1862] I take the pleasure in writing a few lines but have not much time as things are all in confusion we are getting ready to cross the River there is a large force of Rebbels on the other side our pickets talk with them. I would not have written you until after the Battle but as I wanted a pair of Boots I thought I would write you...". The correspondence stops at this point and picks up again on June 5, 1863: "...I don't know where we are going I hope we are not going to cross the River again they say the Rebbels are trying to get into Bull Run if they do we shall have a hard Battle if the Rebbels get in there ...the will get whipped...We got Gen. Jackson to make these quick dashes. I am glad he is gone he has been an awful hard Gen. He has catched us a number of times but we have got out always he was always get around us a number of times...around our flank or in the center making his bold dashes we have got the smartest Gen...see if we have got any Gen as smart enough for Gen. Lee...[Camp For Drafted Men in Concord, Sept. 13, 1863] I seen in the papers that our corps is at Culpeper Court House...Expect a great Battle there before long I tell you I am glad that I am not there for I have seen all the fighting that I ever want to see...Old Gen Meade does not take any city on the ? I have found that out the time of our Regt being under him...". Again the correspondence stops here and begins again on Apr. 11, 1864 from Camp Cross Point Lookout: "...we get to our stopping place that will be at Williamsburg or Yorktown Virginia and shall go to Richmond I think the same way we went before the second N.H. Regs are at Williamsburg now 12th N.Y. Regt up this morning they are getting up a large army I hardly want to go...I hope Grant with all his army will be successful this time in taking everything...["Camp in the Field in a Cloud of Dust Near Petersburg, VA", July 16, 1864] I am amongst the living...have you heard of the Rebbels getting into Maryland they have been doing great damage there...papers say the rule was made to get Gen. Grant away from her but did not come...[Camp of the 5th Regt...Near Petersburg, Aug. 6, 1864] Once more I write you...Our artillery is having an Intermission & also small arms quite a little artillery Fight took place last evening our corps had orders to get ready to fall in 20 minutes...[Camp Belvil ? 5th Corps Breastworks Aug. 34, 1864] Our corps is about 3 miles ahead of us near the Weldon Railroad in Rear of the 5th Corps..." and much more. Along with original handwritten lyrics to a song Moody penned for his mother entitled: "Just before the Battle, Mother" and some original covers. Overall very good condition.
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