Description:

UNION SOLDIER'S LETTER FROM 5TH IOWA INFTY.
War-date A.L.S. by Samuel A. Reed, Company E, 5th Iowa Vols. Infantry, and served in the army about five years. He participated in many hard-fought battles. At the battle of Champion Hills, his skull was fractured and he was thought dead, and thus being removed with the dead for burial when his consciousness returned! When he had sufficiently recovered, he was made a First Lieutenant in a colored regiment, which position he held about one year, when he was promoted to a Captaincy, serving two years. A greater part of the time while Captain, was on the staff of Gen. Hawkins as Ordnance Officer. A.L.S. "Saml A. Reed", 2pp. 4to. Martins Ferry, Ohio, Mar. 29, 1862. To his friend Kelly, undoubtedly a comrade in arms, mentioning General Fremont, Jefferson Davis, John Bell's platform, Lincoln's Emancipation and colonization policy, and West Virginia's hatred for Eastern Virginia, among other topics. In part: "...I am in hopes however you are thus are rejoicing in being the recipient of a suitable position. Before leaving I forgot to settle with you for that last copying done by you. Philip in case you should need it prior to my return will pay you. I have no word from O'Meacham [?] yet though I have been here two weeks tomorrow .My mother is quite low. Martinsville as the town is called is at the head of Wheeling island & contains about two thousand persons...It is the home of my boyhood by the recollections of the past...One of the fellows in the battle of Winchester from here is to be buried to day. Genl. Fremont & staff reached Wheeling his head quarters on yesterday. I shall cross over & see the 'Pathfinder' to day if 'see-able' and I can get by his guards. I spent a couple days in Dixie at my father in laws. Western Virginia are all favorable so far as I have seen to Lincolns Emancipation & colonization policy and the people have a more intense hatred towards Eastern Virginia than even the Southereners [sic] for the Yankees. A nephew of mine just returned from Nashville where he has been with the army says there are scarcely any Union men about Nashville - they chin and talk openly on their streets in favor of Jeff Davis & the Southern Confederacy. He thinks a little hemp [a whipping] to three or four hundred might convince the residue that the Union was not a mere rope of sand. I am rather impressed with the belief that Jno. Bells platform would be a good one to adopt & practice in the South. If you have time drop me a line & give me the news from Iowa. Every one talks of the Valour of our Iowa Boys...". Light toning, else very good. War-date soldiers' letters with Iowa association are very scarce.

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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