Description:

DEATH OF A SOLDIER AT SABINE CROSS ROADS
A touching pair of war-date letters concerning the death of Pvt. Cyrus Stockwell 77th Illinois Vols. who was mortally wounded at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, La., Apr. 8, 1864. The first letter chronicles his demise to his wife, 3pp. 8vo., by soldier aid worker Mrs. N. Maria Taylor, New Orleans, May 11, 1864. In part: "...I have for some weeks visited your husband who is in the St. Louis Hospital in this city, and feel it is my duty to state to you that he is in a very critical condition - and his physicians consider his recovery impossible. His wound was very severe indeed…he has good care as he could possibly have…he has often spoken to me of his family and with tears in his eyes asked me to write to them. He has a strong desire to live…[at night May 12th]…I have just returned from your husband's bedside. He is much lower than yesterday…[May 13th]…still alive but very much weaker than yesterday…[May 14th]…your husband died at five this morning. I was going to get some of his hair…but the nurse told me that the chaplain had already done so…may God give you strength to bear this truly great affliction…". The second war-date letter, 4 1/2pp. 8vo., was written by Chaplain Francis C. Williams 8th Vermont Vols. Brattleboro, Vt., July 1, 1864 to Stockwell's father, in part: "…I write to say that your dear son retained his senses fully till within a few minutes before his death, when he quietly fell asleep…he suffered a good deal before he came to New Orleans…he was so happy not to be a prisoner in their cruel hands…". Both VG to near fine.

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February 19, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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