Lot
1648 
Union Soldier's Letter, 2-page letter from 51st Massachusetts Infantryman Leonard Webster to his wife and children in Smithfield, MA, written from his muster and assembly Camp Briggs in Jamaica, NY on October 15, 1862, about camp life for a new recruit, speaks of wife visiting camp…I think you had better take some 12 or 14 dollars for your expenses…I have 3 dollars left…I don't spend it very fast…my duty is to sweep the barracks…; From the 2nd letter…I had two of my teeth filled which cost me one dollar…we drew our rubber and wooling as soon as we got on to the ground and as our tents were not all here were distributed about the camp…we have men enough to choose officers…my breakfast was hash this morning and if all the meals relish as good it will be better than I expected…; included are the original transmittal cover with stamp faulty), a summary history of Webster's service and a partial transcription of the letter.; also including another Webster letter home, written on patriotic stationery, with further news of camp life., F.-V.F. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $110
Lot
1649
Union Soldier's Letter, 4-page letter from Corporal John Myers, 28th Iowa Infantry, dateline May 17, 1863, camp near Vicksburg, with vivid descriptions of the fighting at Port Gibson under General Grant, describing battle details, number of casualties and events after the battle; no cover, includes typed transcription & service record, Fine (no photo). Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $180
Lot
1650
Union Soldier's Letter, patriotic cover, sent by Sgt Austin V. Eastman, datelined Harwood Hospital, Washington, D.C. Oct 1st 1862, thanking "Miss Kelly" for sending warm clothes, which he explains are provided through a committee without any charge; cover is misprinted with the red color out of registry; he reports in letter that he was wounded at Bull Run; with transcription and copy of photo, Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $100
Lot
1651
Union Soldier's Letter, from John C. Cleveland datelined "Camp near Teneytown (D.C.), April 4th 1863", an underage 16 year old Canadian national in the 138th New York, who enlisted with 2 friends from Onondaga, NY; the cover itself is a very rare Home Made Hand-Painted Water Color Anti-War Propaganda Patriotic Protesting Conscription; transcription accompanies, F.-V.F. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
The cover has been featured in several philatelic publications including Milgram's Abraham Lincoln Illustrated Envelopes and David L. Jarrett's November 2008 article in The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues. Given the content of the letter, fame of this cover and the uniqueness of the writer provide a major Civil War collectible item.
Realized: $2,200
Lot
1652
Union Soldier's Letter, two 4-page letters from Cpt. Andrew Upson about moving prisoners, each with its original cover, datelined "Stevenson, Ala., December 14, 1863" and "December 29, 1863"; covers are postmarked Nashville, Ten., letters deal with problems of moving P.O.W.'s…I received orders to proceed to Chattanooga in charge of all the Federal prisoners now confined here…I prefer prisoners with the boys outside who carry loaded guns, then matters go smoothly….two more men returned this morning from eastern hospitals… they were wounded at Gettysburg & now are recovered, other logistic aspects; Upson's service record included, F.-V.F. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $280
Lot
1653
Union Soldier's Letter, three letters in a series from 45th Massachusetts Infantry (the famous & historic "Boston Cadet Regiment") member Col. Charles Codman to his wife in Boston, written from New Berne, NC; the first letter written on April 14, 1863, about troop movements…Last night a reconnaissance was sent out under Spinola across the river toward Washington…They have not yet returned… News has come from Washington. The 5th Rhode Island were successful in running the blockade. They were fired at and their vessel hit but no one was hurt. The gunboats kept up a fire on the batteries and distracted their attention… … I have been reading an article the April Atlantic called "A Spasm of Sense" which seems to me to be very entertaining and contains much sound advice .Provisions and ammunition reached General Foster with the 5th Rhode Island and with these he can hold Washington. So long as he has provisions and ammunition I do not believe that the enemy can take the place. I have no doubt that our friends in the 44th are safe. I should have heard if it were not so…There is a story this morning that General Foster has arrived in New Bern. I shall not have time to learn its truth before the mail leaves but I should not be surprised if it were true. Since the 5th Rhode Island succeeded in running the blockade it appears to me that our difficulties lessen but I can't comprehend why the naval men have magnified the power of the batteries so greatly.Good bye my dearest. I hope to hear soon that the children are convalescent. My love to them all. Affectionately and fondly yours, CRC (Colonel C R Codman); the second letter dated April 21st continues describing anticipation of future troop movements, etc; family matters, and so forth; the third letter dated June 20th, 1863, also contains war content and speaking of perhaps imminent mustering out, Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $280
Lot
1654
Union Soldier's Letter, from James Miner of the 15th South Carolina, camped at Winchester, Va.after R.E. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg; there is no reference to the battle or the retreat; typical of Southern soldier's letters home, cover with Federal stamp scraped off probably taken from dead Union soldier; with transcription and much commentary, F.-V.F. Estimate $100 - 150.
Lot
1655
Union Soldier's Letter, two letters from Private William Selfe, with vivid first person detailed account of Grant's great blunder at Petersburg, with relevant new information about the battle not in the Official Record, demonstrating that Gen Warren actually rescued Gen Hancock from capture by Confederate troops after Hancock foolishly disobeyed Grant's orders to retreat; talks of his only brother accidentally shooting himself; with summary of the battle, comments, transcription of Selfe's letters, Fine (no photo). Estimate $500 - 750.
This is a significant historic letter, whose contents dramatically correct errors in the Official Record.
Lot
1656
Union Soldier's Letter, datelined "near Little Rock, Dec 11 1864", on U.S. Christian Commission lettersheet, from Moses Edwards to his sister in Iowa, mostly news of camp life, including, "After breakfast I washed and put on clean clothing in army style, no linen shirts, nor standup collars often worn only by some of the upper ones and office seekers"." …the worse fault I have of being out here is we are cut off of the privilege of going to church"; and other war news; cover with poem warning secessionists to "Trip Lightly"; transcription accompanies with brief history of Edwards with battle descriptions, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $200
Lot
1657
Union Soldier's Letter, 1865 letter from Wm. T. Clark of the Pennsylvania 19th Infantry. The letter is of particular interest because it provides a vivid first person account of Sherman's march from Savannah to Fayetteville, NC, missing from most histories. Letter sent in a scarce Scott #U27 "star die" entire captured from a Confederate soldier, postmarked Washington D.C. Mar 31 1865. Transcription accompanies, F.-V.F. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $190