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Civil War Soldier Archive

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD
Civil War Soldier Archive
Extensive archive of items belonging to Jordan Carroll Harriss, a Civil War POW from the 81st Illinois Infantry who was captured at Guntown, Mississippi and sent to Andersonville prison where he stayed until the conclusion of the war. The collection includes all of his letters along with photographs and Bible that he carried during the war, but the jewel of the lot is the correspondence to his wife that contains grueling details of life on the battlefield and at Andersonville. On 1 September 1862, Harriss writes from Camp Anna “…almost every man was aroused on account of a riot in Jonesboro…our army has gained a great victory in Virginia…” 4 September 1862, he writes, “…we are under marching orders…we may never see one another again in this world…” 8 September 1862 at Camp Cairo, he writes, “…I learned the army of the Potomac is in a critical condition and presents a cheerless aspect…”9 November 1862, Humboldt, “…I am looking for important news from the east now as the immense armies of each side are about to come in to contact. The result I hope will bring about a reign of peace…”30 November 1862, “…I have seen a good many graves at the roadside of soldiers killed in skirmishes since I've been on the march…” 4 December 1862, South of Tallahatchie, …we started on quick time…to get into an engagement with Price but as we approached he retreated. We had skirmishes with him…taken several prisoners…Gen Sherman had cut off Price's retreat…he'll be stopped in his mad career…” 1 January 1863, State of Mississippi, “…I arrived in camp last night…better than a week in the hospital…News on the one hand that Richmond has been taken by the Federal troops & on the other hand Burnsides has had a battle with the enemy & has been badly whipped…” 10 January 1863, Moscow, Tennessee, “…we started on the march from near the Tallahatchie Jan. 5th & have traveled the whole or a part of every day since except one & then our tents were pitched at Grand Junction…We have had some hard marches…We understand that fighting is going on at Vicksburg & we may be called upon to go & help to wrest that place from the rebels if necessary…” 12 January 1863, “…we all would be glad to get home but I don't think we are anxious enough to basely surrender & disgrace ourselves…” 25 January 1863 from Memphis, “…the hope we have of bright glory is my consolation. It chases away in a great degree the fear of death…28 February 1863 from Lake Providence, …the temptations of the army come thick and fast I earnestly ask your prayers that we may stand…” 31 March 1863 from the field, “…As for me I can say that considering the painful fact that I am robbed so cruelly robbed of the society of the dearest object of my heart…31 July 1863 from Vicksburg, “…Vicksburg was strongly fortified. We are making it much stronger…my wounds are well…” 21 August 1863 from Vicksburg, “…the last military honors paid to a soldier who sleeps the sleep that knows no mortal waking. These volleys are fired over the grave of the deceased, how solemn the thought for if it be melancholy for a man to die in youth surrounded by loving friends in the quiet of his home how much more is it to perish in the tented field especially the battle field surrounded by the faces of the enemies the din & horror of war. War at the best is a stern and terrible evil an evil which nothing perhaps can outweigh unless it be a doubtful & dishonorable peace but a noble cause a cause involving a great principle the triumph of which is more than life or death such a cause as we have espoused to secure the blessings of justice, truth, liberty, union…”10 October 1863 from Camp Humboldt, “…some prisoners of Union men tell me they are expecting an attack…we were drawn in a line of battle at 3 o'clock…” 26 November 1863, Vicksburg, “…The news I think looks favorable. We hear the noise of Cannon occasionally in the direction of Black River…” 25 December 1863, “…Jeff Davis is despondent, Brighter grows the prospect of the Union…” 1 January 1864, “…I don't have a very good opinion of the Rebs for raising the strife in our land & I don't believe they have a good opinion of themselves for it…” 7 March 1864, “…You confirmed my suspicions in your answer to my inquiry in regard to your being an abolitionist. I think my feelings & yours on this subject coincide throughout. Never think that I'm in favor of elevating the Negro in such a way as to degrade the white man, I want if it is possible for all the different races to live in different portions of country…” the troops of our Corps have returned & it was a shocking spectacle to see the suffering appearance of the thousands of Negro women & children that were brought in…” 26 June 1864 after capture, “…I suppose you are all in considerable trouble since you heard so bad news about the boys…”An excellent lot.
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