Description:

UNION CONTRABAND LETTER
Strong content letter concerning "contrabands" and U.S.C.T., an A.L.S. by Pvt. William H. Nichols, 17th Battery, N.Y. Light Artillery, 8pp., 8vo., Barracks No. 9, Camp Barry, Washington, D.C., May 22, 1864. In part: "....We passed through a contraband camp on our route and darkeys of every age, color, and sex flocked to the road to behold us pass. A more curious set of beings I have never before seen, such ludicrous features. Topsy's cutting up their antics innumerable. Aunt's Dinahs Uncle Toms you could pick them out by the dress, how their eyes would roll in under & how their lips would project and open showing their glistening ivory...And then there were some that could not be called even mulatto, hair a little crispy, skin a little tinged, you would swear there was negro blood...Just beyond the contraband camp we came upon a row of barracks containing Negro troops. Newly raised I presume...each Negro seemed to have spent his first wages in decorating his person. Army blue would not do them, but cloth of as fine a material as officers wear covered their persons...They feel proud of their position and I have no doubt properly disciplined will make good soldiers...I see by the papers that the eight has been engaged in the last fight and also that Gen Tyler commanded them. Whether it is our Gen. Tyler or not I cannot tell. He was reported to have been sent to Butler but should not be surprised if he had a division in the Potomac army. The 4th and 14th heavy also it is reported had a skirmish in which if rumor is correct they behaved rather ingloriously flying at the first yell not even waiting the fire of the rebs...I see that the bill to pay soldiers sixteen dollars per month has passed the two houses and now awaits the Presidents signature. I have no doubt it will become law...". Splits at folds, ink a bit light, else good.

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December 9, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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