LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 Dec Signature Civil War Auction #642  / 

25271

Collection of Six Union Soldiers' Letters

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:75.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
Collection of Six Union Soldiers' Letters
<B>Collection of Union Soldiers' Letters Including Pennsylvania 119th and 138th.</B></I> This lot contains six fine letters written from the fields of battle to the folks back home. Five of these are identified as being from two soldiers that failed to ever return to the loved ones who received these letters. Two are from <B>Edward E. Coxe</B></I> who was mustered into "D" Company of the Pennsylvania 119th Infantry as a 1st sergeant. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant on January 6, 1863 and died of wounds in Washington D.C. on November 22, 1863. One of his two letters is dated April 12, 1863 from Camp near White Oak Church, Virginia to Robert Coxe (his brother) and mixes family content with interesting remarks about the war. In part: "<I>...The speech of Gen Ben Butler I think one of the greatest and grandest speeches since the war began. He is a patriot every inch of him. How I wish we had a thousand more like him...I only wish every soldier in the army could be furnished with a copy of his great address...We have had in succession, a Brigade review, a Division review, a Corps review by Hooker, then three days picketing along the Rappahannock, watching & talking to the 6th North Carolina, on the opposite side, then finally four Corps, our own (the Sixth) among the number, reviewed by Old Abe & Mrs. Lincoln themselves...</B></I>" His other letter is dated February 4, 1863 from Camp near Belles Plains Landing, also to brother Bob, and delivers news of his promotion to 2nd lieutenant. Both of these letters include the original mailing envelopes. <BR><BR>There are three letters from <B>Martin Fehl</B></I> who mustered into "G" Company of the Pennsylvania 138th Infantry as a private. He was wounded on November 17, 1863 at Mine Run, Virginia and killed on June 1, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia. The first letter offered here speaks mostly home and farming with one poignant line (as written): "<I>...give my best respects to aul the girles up thare tell them that I intend to come home to se them aul and I want to have a big time with them...</B></I>" The second letter is to his "<I>Sisternlaw</B></I>" and imparts that he is doing "<I>...well and hearty</B></I>". The third letter is more interesting, dated April 19, 1864 from near Brandy Station, he writes to his brother, in part (as written): "<I>...And I was sorry to here that you are so ignerent a bout war matters as to think that all whe ar fiting for is for the nigers and if it was sow I am shure that I cant help it but I think whe are fiting for the write caus and if you are feered of the draft and dont want to fite for your Country please dont wound my feelings for I feel like given my life for my Country if needs be...</B></I>" That's just what he did- less than two months after writing these words. <BR><BR>The last soldier letter is a six-pager from an unidentified soldier John written September 10, 1861 from Meridian Hill, Camp Bates, Near Washington. Also included in this lot is a two page letter from Jonathan A. McAllister to famous historian and wood engraver Benson John Lossing dated May 1, 1864. All letters are all generally in fine condition with expected folds and occasional staining. Typewritten transcripts of all letters are included.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Flat (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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