Description:

GUARDING P.O.W.S AND STRINGING UP BOUNTY-JUMPERS BY THEIR THUMBS
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., by musician Simon P. Fifield, Co. K, 2nd New Hampshire Vols., Point Lookout, Md., Jan. 21, 1864 to his former 2nd N.H. comrade William H. Mix, now an officer in the 19th USCT. In part: "…we have had a great time at Old Point Look Out since you left. We have had 3 squads of subs from N. H. and the 2 regts are now filled to 1,000 men each. They are nearly all…from New York, Phil & a few from Mass. Carried to N. H. by the brokers, promised bug bounties but the brokers have got the most of it. They are the hardest set of men I ever saw. They are all the time fighting, gambling, & getting drunk. Our boys have nearly all the guard duty…an extra guard around the camp night and day. More than 20 of them have deserted…from our regt, 48 from the 5th but most of them have been caught and brought back. The guard house is crowded full, some of the poor fellows will have to be shot…the Genl. won't stand everything, from 2 to 5 daily are strung up to the flag pole by their wrists & thumbs, to stand from 2 to 4 hours, just touching their toes…79 of the Old 2d have enlisted again…I opened the enlisting for Old Comp. K and in less than one hours Sergt. [James I.] Locke [WIA Cold Harbor], [James] Gammon [POW Gettysburg, WIA Second Bull Run & Cold Harbor], [James W.] Taylor [WIA Cold Harbor], the 2 Bly's [Charles E.] Plaisted & [Michael E.] Long [MIA Second Bull Run] were enlisted. Long refused to take the oath, and backed down…having been assigned to Portsmouth. We receive nine hundred & 2 dollars…we are now in the 18th Army Corps under Genl. Butler. The gen. is visiting us today. 25,000 more prisoners are expected here soon. The rebels are building another by yard like to other one…" The original stamped cover is included. Very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas), DHL or FedEx 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. 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 are not 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.

February 19, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, 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 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000