205
Archive of Pvt. Thomas Skinner, Co. F., 44th NY,
Currency:USD
Category:Collectibles / Militaria
Start Price:300.00 USD
Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
a small group consisting of 4 wartime letters written in ink by Skinner to his future wife Libby (Elizabeth) along with a whimsical fold-open pencil drawing of his camp tent keyed to descriptive text in the first letter. Also, Skinner’s eagle mast head discharge with an official letter/cover from the Department of Interior addressed to Elizabeth Skinner containing a Pension Certificate No. 405914 dated January 9, 1895. The document is presumably a widow’s certificate which is odd considering that the regimental history states that Thomas Skinner lived until 1902. The four letters are dated February 4, 1862 (4 pp), March 23, 1863 (3 pp), March 18, 1864 (2 pp), and April 4, 1864 (1 pp). None of the letters contain battle content.
The first letter written in camp from Halls Hill, Va. opens with a dissertation on the bad weather—a vast mud puddle—culminating in a snowfall to the depth of 6 inches. The letter is rooted in the reality of a veteran soldier relating a point of view that the press and public are clueless as to what is going on at the front, Don’t you be foolish, like the editors of the Northern papers and join in the cry of "on to Richmond" when it requires 20 horses and a jackass to pull a single cannon through the mud. In a lighter moment Skinner writes, I though you would like to know what sort of a hotel we keep here so I got a picture of it just as it is and I will explain it to you… Skinner drew a picture of the tent home and interior titled Camp Battlefield/Halls Hill. The drawing opens up to reveal the inside of the tent, the abode of the Happy Family as he calls it keyed to numbers 1 through 14 in the letter. The letter then gives meaning to the number, i.e. -3-our lounge made of poles covered with rubber blankets, -13-box where we keep our books & papers, and so on. The letter ends with the expectation of a planned music concert tomorrow and a sleigh party in which the boys pulled a couple of ladies all around camp.
The second letter near Falmouth, Va. is more intense and filled with political exhortation and lambast. Skinner rails against the bastard rag we are now fighting to hall down angry that there is a lack of support on the home front. He points to the traitor Vanlandingham and postulates, Why are such men allowed to go at large spouting their treason in the faces of loyal men?
In the third letter near Alexandria Skinner reports that he is out from the New Oliver Hospital and describes his recent bout with sickness as the result of a neglected cold. He acknowledges the death of a mutual friend at home and ruminates, When I hear of a friend and acquaintance dying it makes one think the only danger is nor from the bullets of the enemy…
In the last letter also from Alexandria, Skinner updates his health, Still sick but mending slowly, and writes about seeing the Army Commander, Genl. Grant passed through here to the front a short time since. The boys think a great deal of him and they believe that when he orders a forward movement it will be to Victory. Let us hope so. The brave army of the Potomac notwithstanding its terrible looses is still formidable in numbers and great in it love of country. Under a good leader it can crush the Rebel Army.
Of course, the 44th New York known also by its associated titles as Ellsworth’s Avenger’s or the Peoples Ellsworth Regiment was a preeminent Army of the Potomac regiment that earned eternal fame for the Defense of Little Top under Lt. Colonel Freeman Conner. Thomas Skinner joined Company F. in September 1861 and mustered out with the regiment in October 1864, having fought at Gettysburg and the many battles of the 44th without so much as a scratch.
Condition: Letters VG. with folds, lacking covers. Soldier art G+. with folds and minor foxing around edges. Printed Certificate and Discharge VG.
Auction Location:
6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
Previewing Details:
Tuesday, June 23, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, June 24 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Ohio |
5.5% |
Ohio State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
17.5% |
Additional Fees:
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