Lot 1648
Letters from the Civil War Homefront. Lot of two letters, one obviously from the South. The southern letter, signed "EMM," is four pages (with another quarter page intertext), written from "Wildwood" August 13, 1862. The second letter, signed "From your affectionate mother, ASR," is dated Arlington, August 17, 1861. Both letters show some toning and edge separation at the folds, but are in very good condition, overall.
Our first letter talks about Poindexter's troops and the requisitioning of horses, as well as trying to arrange leave for an ill relative. A crisis has also arisen with "Mr. M, " in part: "…Mr. M. went in voluntarily long ago and took the Conventional oath intending religiously to keep it, not had he violated it. Tis a bad state of affairs truly when an unprincipled negro's testimony should be received to the injury of his master; whose rule in all cases has been to injure no man…"
The second letter reads from a mother concerned with her son's physical and spiritual health: "…Do you like the guard duty as well as you did, and, do you have to be on guard nights. I am afraid you tell us the best part and keep back the hardship and privations you meet with…" (a poignant note given how early in the War this letter was written -- any privation would be so much worse in four years, and the mother would probably know all about it from other sources). "…I want that you should write as often as you can for you cant think how anxious we feel about you and Rufus. I know that you will take as good care of yourself as you can without my asking you for our sakes at home. It is dark and I must close now…".
Estimated Value $200 - 250.
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| Realized $150 |
