Description:

PRISONER WHO FOUGHT WITH MORGAN'S RAIDERS WRITES FROM THREE DIFFERENT PRISONS
Excellent collection of three P.O.W. letters written by Pvt./Cpl. William S. Wall of Co. E, 2nd Kentucky (Duke's) Cavalry, commanded by John Hunt Morgan, written from three different Union prisons. Also present are the original transmittal covers, including one from McClean Barracks in Cincinnati - one of only two known to exist! Wall joined the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry on May 29, 1861, participated in Morgan's 1st Kentucky Raid and eight other raids including the Ohio Raid where he was captured by a squirrel hunter only to spend the next two years imprisoned. All three letters are written to Wall's mother Clementina in Cynthiana, Ky. The first is 4p. 8vo., McLean Barracks, Cincinnati, Aug. 4, 1863 in pencil. In part: "...The shirt & socks I had worn, through the dust, rain & excitement of our long ride, for about 3 weeks or more...I drew a new uniform a short time before we started...There is a gentleman here by name of Butler...He was in prison at the Block House below town, with J J January, who was afterwards sent to the same place I am now in. We are in a large building on 3rd Street - the Orphan Asylum - a very commodious building...and is tolerably clean...I entered the army under my commissions of right and will never compromise my honor, by doing anything a soldier should not do, nor accept my liberty on any terms...The last time I saw Dick was ...some time after the Battle of Murfreesboro...he was well, as were all the Cynthiana boys. He went with Breckinridge's Division, to Johnson's Army near Vicksburg...I do not know where Billy Addams and Ash Welch is but am under the impression that they escaped, as they crossed the Ohio River...Sam G. Wall was killed at Milton fight...I didn't get to see him. I saw John H. Wall in Tenn...Hukill of Paris made all my clothing...and is the only pertson I know who has my correct measure...you could send up some person..." With the ultra-rare cover. The second letter and cover (marked "Examined"), 3pp. 8vo., "Camp Chase Prison 3", Dec. 19, 1863, in part: "...I am now glad we are still here though at the time, I wanted to go, because then, I would stand some chance, perhaps, of getting away, and here, I am satisfied I have none. As long as I am to remain a prisoner now, I am satisfied to continue at this place thought now that Congress has met, I have hopes of some action being taken in the direction of an Exchange. Prison life is tiresome...The Sutler shop was again opened...for the sale of paper, stamps, envelopes, & tobacco. My tobacco is all gone, and at the rate 'old Billy' sells it[,] it will cost me, just $72.00 a year to buy from him. I wish you would send me a cigar box full chewing tobacco, as soon as you can...I have heard nothing of John Wall or Dick lately. There was a lot of prisoners brought in...but they were from Virginia...don't forget my tobacco. Some of my friends I am sure will put in a piece or two...". The third letter, with envelope bearing ink-stamped Rock Island Barracks examiner's stamp, is 1p. 4to., Rock Island Barracks 33, Nov. 3, 1864. In part: "...I have tried to get a 'permit' for you to send clothing &c to me, but the Provost marshal here, refuses to grant permits to anybody, saying...we can get boxes without...I want 1 lb whole Pepper, 1 pr. pants...10 lbs. Tobacco, Knife, Comb...4 Pcs. Porcine Soap...I need them badly...When you send Tobacco, let me know how many pieces there are. I want the names of those fellows to whom Mrs. Oxley sent clothing. They are a pair of dirty thieves. Has Jim Garrett yet come home?... Let me know who about Cynthiana was drafted...My health is tolerably good, but I am worried...worried to death about Tobacco...". A superb set of letters and covers, one exceeding rare, from one of John Hunt Morgan's cavalrymen. Excellent condition.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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