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428

DAWSON'S BROTHERS CIVIL WAR CORRESPONDENCE.

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
DAWSON'S BROTHERS CIVIL WAR CORRESPONDENCE.
DAWSON'S BROTHERS CIVIL WAR CORRESPONDENCE. Dawson Brothers Papers, 1858-1892, ca.110 items. The Civil War was fought by communities -- soldiers raised locally fighting soldiers from other communities, each maintaining contact with their communities at home. Jennett Dawson was a patient young woman from Washington County, Iowa, who opened the Civil War years with a cousin doing hard labor in the state penitentiary, and a flock of brothers, cousins, and friends old enough for military service. Her brothers George and Will and her friends Wils Robertson and C.J. Momyer all served, filling the ranks of the 3rd, 11th, and 15th Iowa Infantry regiments, regiments that took part in some or all of the typical circuit for Iowa regiments: service in Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee before joining in the March to the Sea and March through the Carolinas. Will Dawson and Wils Robertson were the first to enlist, joining the 3rd Iowa within a few months of the start of the war. After service in Missouri and Tennessee, the regiment served in Tennessee, where their forage train was ambushed by confederate guerrillas near Moscow, Tenn., in February 1863. "They pitched on the center of the train," Robertson wrote, "and our regimental teems and the forty first Illinois was in the center, so they stood all the blast of the loss. The train was about one mile long and the guards was behind but they didn't Do any damage they killed one of our men." After joining in the Vicksburg Campaign, Dawson was killed in action in the Battle of Jackson, Miss., in July 1863. Two letters from other soldiers in the brigade provide details. Momyer reported, "he died the death of the brave, breathing his last near the mouth of the Enemy's Cannon. I have been informed that his wound was such as to cause instant Death without much suffering... The Brave Boys done their best but had been led right in front of 18 masqued field pieces nearly Annihilating the Brigade." George Dawson of the 11th Iowa and C.J. Momyer of the 15th Iowa appear to have enjoyed their military experience far more, particularly once they joined William T. Sherman. Tracking rebels during the Atlanta Campaign, glorying in Sherman's cleverness in living off the land and outfoxing Hood, George and his fellow soldiers were solidly for the war effort. After the vote was taken for the election of 1864, he wrote home that brigade had gone heavily Republican: "515 for old Abe Lincoln, 42 for George B. McClellan, the Grave digger." Writing from Beaufort, S.C., in January 1865, he predicted his regiment would head next to Charleston and, with the fall of the city, would end the war. His friend, Lt. C.J. Monger, the best writer of the lot, was equally optimistic, and provided what may be the most succinct, yet thorough, description of Sherman's March ever written: "we are enjoying a little rest after a campaign of 54 days in which we traveled over 500 miles we waided swampy built works whipped the Rebels eat their turkeys chickens and pigs their smoked Hams and honey, burnt all the mills government buildings Rail Roads and made a march through S.C. that will long be remembered by her citizens." At home, Jennett and her female companions were less enthusiastic. Writing at the time of the Battle of Shiloh, 18 year-old Jennett lamented the separation and fear: "O how I wish the war was over, and peace and Quietness Reign once more. How nice it would be to have our friends at home once more. I think so much of my Brothers that are in Missouria, one of them in the Rebel army and the other we don't [k]now how soon may be forced in. I don't think that he will join unless he is forced in, he may be forced in yet for what we [k]now. The was several of my acquaintance killed in the last battle that fought in Arkansas, the most of them belonged to the 3d Iowa Cavalry." The collection contains 50 war-date letters, 25 from the home front, and 25 from soldiers, and 56 post-war letters that provide information on the subsequent history of the Dawsons and their friends, who were scattered about Iowa, Kansas, and San Diego, Calif., by 1890. An outstanding opportunity to acquire a fine collection documenting some scarce western regiments and, more importantly, of the response of a local community to the war, both in the field and at home. Condition varies from fair to good, with soiling, some insect damage, fading, general wear, and occasionally atrocious spelling. The great majority are complete and legible. PLEASE NOTE: THIS LOT WILL BE SOLD ON EBAY LIVE AUCTIONS BETWEEN 5:00-6:00pm EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME ON MAY 10, 2002. REGISTER NOW TO BID LIVE ONLINE THE DAY OF THE SALE! (EST 1000-1500)
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