1863 CIVIL WAR SOLDIER LETTER - VICKSBURG MS - CHICAGO MERCANTILE BATTERY
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:101923 |
Civil War soldier's letter, 1 pg., approx. 5" x 8", dated at Vicksburg, Mississippi, Aug. 25, 1863, from William Husted (signed "William") to his parents at Chicago, Illinois. Includes the original envelope with #65 3c Washington tied by VICKSBURG/MISS double-circle postmark dated Aug. 28, 1863, addressed to H. H. Husted, Chicago, Illinois. The writer of this letter, William Husted, (1843-1914), enlisted as a Private on Aug. 29, 1862 in the Chicago Mercantile Independent Battery Light ...Artillery. At the time of his enlistment, he was an 18 year old clerk in his Father's tailor and clothing store in Chicago. He was mustered out with the Battery in Chicago on July 10, 1865. A scarce unit - the Chicago Mercantile Independent Battery Light Artillery was organized by the Chicago Mercantile Association of businessmen in the city. They fought with General Sherman in the Yazoo expedition, the reduction of Arkansas Post, Battles of Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge and the Siege of Vicksburg. At the disastrous battle of Sabine Cross Roads, the Battery lost a number of killed and wounded and over 20 taken prisoner. There were only 156 original members of the Chicago Mercantile Battery, and the writer was among them. According to the Battery's official history, of the original 156 members, only 35 were left to be mustered out.Good content in which William writes of the Battery receiving orders to be ready to move out. The letter reads: "Dear Folks, We received orders day before yesterday to be ready to march at any time. The first Brigade of our Division went down the river yesterday, and we have just got orders to pack up, and so we are all in a mess packing up. We have just got orders to I cannot write much more. I strongly suspect we are going to New Orleans. We will leave this afternoon, but may not go farther than Natchez.I have got no more time so I shall have to stop. All well and healthy. Yours, William" The letter is a bit uneven at the left side. The cover (envelope) has a tear at top. COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS. [B-8a]
