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85th NY Infantry ALS 1863

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:NA
85th NY Infantry ALS 1863
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Letter from Edgar W. Irish of the 85th New York Infantry, Company C. Written in ink and datelined Plymouth, North Carolina, 5 July 1863, letter reads in part: ''…our Fourth in Dixie…passed off pleasantly. We - Co. 'C' had a table set out under a wide spreading willow oak long enough to seat 75 persons…After the repast was over, we were entertained for an hour by several amateur speakers who poured out patriotic wit as freely as they had just previously poured down the lemonade. We had perhaps Ninty guests including the field and staff officers of the Regiment and the Company officers from many companies. In the evening the boys…spread some boards on the ground and had a dance…Not a man of Co. 'C' was guilty of being drunk, which I think cannot be said of many companies in the whole army…I am more encouraged about the success of our army now than ever though we have not a word of news later than June 28th and that through Rebel Papers. It confirms the capture of Vicksburg and says that Harrisburg is also taken…'' In April 1864 nearly the entire 85th New York Infantry was taken prisoner at Plymouth; 222 of the men later died in southern prisons. The regiment saw heavy action at Yorktown, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks. Irish mustered into Company C on 7 October 1861 and mustered out on 20 June 1865. Letter measures 5'' x 8''. Scattered light foxing and soiling, otherwise near fine condition.