civil war letters - David K. Parks Military Antiques
Letters
Use BACK Button for Previous Page
Home
L-61
1861 OHIO LETTER - JOHN BROWN A MARTYR - Nicely written one page letter from an Ohio gentleman dated Sept. 24, 1861 to a friend. He states that he has recently returnded from "the wars". He was in camp at Elk Fork, Va and at the time he left "nearly surrounded by the followers of Jef. Davis & co. to the numbers of 20,000 to 30,000 our forces were not over 6,000"  He also writes "I have about made up my mind to"take the position that John Brown was a martyr"". Letter is in very good condition.
$ 285.
Enlarge Image
L-60
75th NEW YORK INFANTRY - Letter from James H. Canfield to his Aunt and Uncle dated October 15, 1863 "In the Field". Mentions that they are five miles out of Opelousas City and that he had spent two months in the hospital. The rebels came down this morning and fired a few shots at our picket. And soon General Grover's division went out and soon drove them out of our hearing. Our regiment expects to be mounted in a day or two". Tells them how to direct their letters to the 75th. Good condition written in period blue ink on blue paper.
$ 85.
Additional Images
L-59
NAVAL LETTER - U.S. STEAMER SACKAWANNA - Letter written by 2nd Assistant Engineer Orleans Longacre on June 3, 1863 "off Mobile Bay". Mentions the Steamer Bermuda, thought to be lost in a storm has arrived. Suggests that something may be done there as soon as the 'Ossipee' arrives to relieve the flagship 'Colorado'. Rear Admiral Farragut says thet the fleet has been doing nothing long enough and that we must see if Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan are occupied by rebels or evacuated. We will see what effect the 11 inch shells will have. Mentions the destroying of a schooner by a picket boat. Very good condition with cover addressed to his father in Philadelphia.
SOLD
Additional Images
L-58
28TH MAINE INFANTRY - Written in period blue ink on blue paper by James M. Coombs, Co. I to his mother on April 25, 1863 from Plaqumine, La. Banks had a devil of a fight down to Burwick Bay he licked them in good style. The rebels are all in sight across the river - looks like we might see some fighting. Mentions other things going on. Transcript on the Additional Images page. Very good condition.
$ 85.
Additional Images
L-57
CONFEDERATE SURGEON'S LETTER TO SOLDIER'S WIDOW - From the CS Hospital, Petersburg, April 30, 1863. The surgeon writes to the widow Mrs. Cynthia Jenkins, ". . . the writer frequently saw your husband previous to his death. he bore his sickness with all Christian fortitude without a murmur although he was sorely afflicted for some time before he died . . . I am truly glad to hear that he was a member of the church and prepared to meet his God. He did not seem alarmed or afraid to die . . . I wish I could recollect all about your husband so I could tell everything concerning him but so many die here, that is almost impossible to recollect all that they might say . . ." Ink is somewhat light and paper has some staining.
$ 195.
Additional Images
L-56
69TH PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY - Written by Peter Glackin (later KIA at Chantilly) and dated June 3, 1862 in period ink - 4 pages. "Recovering my health . . . I was struck about the time this regiment was about having Yorktown and was sent to the Brigade Hospital and have returned to the regiment 4 days ago. . . the rebbles made an attack on our troops on Saturday . . . and there was desparate fighting that afternoon and evening . . . there were members slain on both sides but the rebbles had to fall back . . .". Good condition , last page soiled as can be seen in photos.
$ 145.
Additional Images
L-55
96TH ILLINOIS INF. POW - LIBBY PRISON LETTER - Written by Lt. Charles H. Yates (POW at Missionary Ridge) on Jan. 10, 1864 to Colonel John C. Smith letting the Col. know of his fate. "I am happy to address you although I am in prison and no hope of getting out . . .I cannot write army news . . . I find there is 9 of my men here in Richmond four in the hospital and ten have been taken to Danville, Va. Good bye, Yours truly / Lt. C H Yates / 96th Ill Vol / Prisoner of War Libby Prison / Richmond, Va". Letter is in excellent condition.
$ 425.
Additional Images
L-54
MICAH JENKINS PALMETTO SHARPSHOOTERS - Battle of Williamsburg - Written by W.A. Neel (in the CS index he is listed as W.A. Neal, Co. G Palmetto SS) in period ink, May 30, 1862 near Richmond. He writes: "I suppose you have herd of our regt being in the fight at williamsburg I come through safe we had one man killed and one wounded out of our camp they were four killed and 26 wounded out of our regt. we had a hard (time) of it the fight comenced 6 oclock in the morning and (lasted) all day and it rained the hole time then we had to start and march twelve miles the next morning in mud over shoe mouth . . . we are awaiting a big battle here I hope we may whip them here and then I think the war will close . . .". Gives complete Regiment information. Letter has some condition issues as can be seen in photos - some missing paper at folds and some moisture damage. Not the best condition but when will another Jenkins Palmetto Sharpshooters anything come along again !
$ 795.
Additional Images
L-53
CONFEDERATE NAVAL LETTER - CSS PATRICK HENRY - The CSS Patrick Henry was a sidewheel streamer converted to a gunboat and patrolled the James River. It was involved in the Battle of Hampton Roads and actually fired on the Monitor from long range. The letter was written July 10th, 1863 by F.C. Moorhead, a Kentuckian in the CS Navy. He writes of many officers known to the family and mentions about his clothes "you would have been unable to recognize me by this time from my entire unlikeness to what I was when I left home in my Confederate grey". Written on poor quality paper that moisture has made to look even worst.
SOLD
Additional Images
L-39
LETTER DESCRIBES TOURS ON THE U.S. IRONCLAD SAUGUS AND THE CS IRONCLAD ATLANTA - Letter in ink, dated March 10, 1865 from the Defenses of Bermuda Hundred, Va - 5 pages. Signed only 'George' but believe he may have been a musician. The first 3 pages tend to be standard but beginning on page 4 it gets interesting. He describes taking a tour of the two ironclads listed above. Describes the guns on the monitor class Saugus and the fact that he crawled into the smallest of the two until he had to be helped out. Then he describes the Atlanta which was built like the Merrimac (Virginia) and how they went on deck in sight of the rebels and played 'The Star Spangled Banner', 'Hail Columbia', 'Yankee Doodle' and several more airs. He gives his thoughts on why the rebels did not try to fire on them. Interesting letter - Click on 'Additional Images' to read. Very good condition but has some separation at several of the folds.
Additional Images
SOLD
L-37
1837 WEST POINT CADET LETTER - COMPLAINS ABOUT SUPERINTENDANT - Dated August 30, 1837  3 pgs + West Point Postmark. Written by John T. Metcalf in period ink to Edwin Wright Morgan (class of 1837, Florida Indian Wars, Mex. War & Professor at Lehigh Univ.) initially complaining about the Super. but refers to him as 'Old Jack' which is a bit confusing as the Super. was Rene Edward De Russy. Goes on to mention other cadets that later became C.W. Generals. Very good condition. Full transcript shown in 'Additional Images'.
Additional Images
SOLD
L-40
U.S. HOSPITAL - TURNER'S LANE, PHILADELPHIA - Believed to have been written by Charles A. Burnham of Co. C, 2nd New Hampshire Inf. on August 25 (1862) in ink from the above named hospital. He describes his duties as being in charge of the apothecary and dealing out the medicine. Among the text is "I hope our government has waked up to see that this rebellion can not be put down by playing war. We must go about as the south does before we can conquer." Letter is in very good condition.
Additional Images
$ 65.
L-7
7TH NEW YORK CAVALRY - COL. MORRISON'S NORTHERN BLACK HORSE CAVALRY - Written by William M. Harris from Camp Stoneman, Dec. 6th, 1861 to his parents. Writes about the trip to Camp, that he can see the Camps of Berdan's Sharpshooters, the 4th Pennsylvania Inf., the 1st Michigan Inf. and an Illinois Cavalry Regt.. Also mentions that they have only received sabers but when fully equipped will have Sabers, Revolvers, Carbines and Black Horses. Mentions it is a slow job to drill Cavalry Horses. Period ink is dark and legible but letter is separated at all folds. Otherwise Good Letter.
Enlarge Image SOLD
L-50
McLAUGHLIN'S OHIO CAVALRY - Camp near Tonisa, Kentucky - January 29, 1863 - " . . . we expect to start on a three days scout tomorrow. We are all to be ready to start at seven in the morning. It will be a very disagreeabel tramp for it is very muddy . . . I got my likeness today I will send it to you for to keep till I come back if I am spared to return home . . . ". Signed C.P. Hughes. Letter is in very good condition and written in period ink. McLaughlin's Cavalry Squadron operated with the 43rd Ohio Inf at the battle of Middle Creek. They were also involved in the Seige of Knoxville and in the March to Atlanta.
SOLD
Additional Images
L-45
16TH MICHIGAN INFANTRY - BATTLE OF GAINES MILL, VA - Dated July 7, 1862 from Camp near James River written by William Simmons of Co. E, Stockton's Mich. Regt. (16th Mi). Simmons would later die of wounds received at 2nd Manassas. Terrific letter, writes of fighting till 10pm, 300 in the regiment killed or wounded, the Colonel killed (actually was captured), how the rebels had captured all their food, tents and clothing. They went back to the battlefield and through the woods to find the Confederate dead piled up like cords of wood and hearing the wounded crying out at night still on the battlefield. McClellan rides through every day and new troops are arriving. They can't wait to make the secesh pay for what they have done. Great solid letter in very good condition. Written in period ink.
SOLD
Additional Images
L-19
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC MISSOURI CIVILIAN LETTER - PRO CONFEDERATE  - MENTIONS QUANTRILL !!!! - Undated, written by a woman in period ink on blue paper. This woman has serious feelings for the Confederacy. Some quotes include: "If I could only get to see my darling little angle (sic) rebel, bless his sweet little soul . . . the feds have gotten the best whipping the war got in their lives . . . Col. Quantrill is come to life again bless his sweet little soul he is in Jefferson County . . . have orders from General Price not to cross river . . . union dogs . . ." she just goes on and on!! Paper has some minor separations at some folds and toning on the folds of page 4.
Additional Images
SOLD
L-31
34TH NEW YORK INFANTRY - BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS - Dated June 6, 1862  4 pgs in period ink. Written by Frank Bailey of the 34th. Fantastic and detailed account of the ordeals the 34th encountered during the battle. Go to 'Additional Images' to read entire letter. Very good condition.
SOLD
Additional Images
L-33
11TH MICHIGAN INFANTRY - BATTLE AT MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE - Dated January 21, 1863  8pgs in period ink written by L. Squire of the 11th. Good graphic details on the battlefield. Go to 'Additional Images' to read full letter. Very good condition.
SOLD
Additional Images
Click Here For Letters - Page 2