Description:

UNION SOLDIER'S LETTER
A lengthy A.L.S. of Capt. William Edward Perkins, Company F, 44th Mass. Infantry, 6pp. 8vo., ‘In camp 4 miles north of Decherd [sic], Tenn.', Oct. 6, 1863, on Battle of Shiloh patriotic letterhead to an unnamed correspondent. Perkins writes of his recent activities, most of which revolve around guarding a railroad. In part: ‘…On the night of the 3rd we reached Stevenson, Alabama, and camped there till the next morning. Then orders came for the 1st Division to go to Dechert and the 2nd to Wartrace, so we started back…There we laid out a regular camp…when our regiment received orders to pack up & get on the cars again…I was disgusted enough but we made an advantageous charge. We are guarding the railroad in company with the 13th New Jersey…& 1st Tennessee (colored) Infantry…The only duty here is picket duty. We picket the road to Winchester. There is some apprehension of any attack on Rosecrans's communications, as it would be useless to attack him in front. There his position is secure, people down here don't seem willing to admit that he has suffered a defeat. They can't see the difference between a victory & a decisive victory. Undoubtedly Bragg was victorious but his victory was not decisive because he didn't drive Rosecrans out of Chattanooga. There do not seem to be any troops here except the 11th and 12th Corps & Rosecrans' army. No reinforcements have arrived from Grant, and I have not heard of Burnside's junction. I believe that this place will be our winter-quarters…the guards on the railroad don't having [sic] any fighting to do. When the army moves, they stay where they are…There is not much to eat here, except Sutler's canned stuff…but I can live very comfortably…As I said above, we have a nigger regiment here…Their camp is next to ours…They are very green, officers & men. The officers are all white, of course. Our men don't show the slightest ill-will, but seem very much amused by their new neighbors. If we had a joint picket, and our privates were put under nigger sergeants, it might make trouble…I must close abruptly, for we have just had orders to get ready to move. Probably it is to change camp…'. Very good condition.

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January 18, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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