1864 CIVIL WAR LETTER AFRICAN AMERICAN BLACK SOLDIER SHOT CONFEDERATE SERGEANT
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:102832 |
1864 LETTER FROM A CIVIL WAR SOLDIER "IN THE FIELD" TO HIS BROTHER AND SISTER.
FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER:
In the fieldJune 27th 1864
Dear Brother + SisterI Received a letter from you a few days ago, and take this opportunity to answer it although I am now on Guard, sitting on a Box with the paper in my hand, We have had some tall fighting here lately, But I have escaped so far without a scratch But some of our troops are numbered with the dead. We made a charge on a Fort a...t Petersburg and took it to, But could not hold it, We spiked 3 guns and Brought off one, the Rebs fight like very devils. When we made the charge we have them our Volly and they us the same, then they dodged behind their Breast Works to load (they thought we could not fire again) and as soon as they got loaded they rose up to give it to us, but as soon as their heads began to show we began to pour in the shot, and they soon got so that they did not dare to show a head so they put up their guns over their heads and fired at random, The men that was in the Fort were old and young some I should think seventy five years old and some not more than fifteen, some with Rebs Uniform on and some with Citizens Clothes, We killed quite a number of them and took forty Prisoners the most of the killed were shot through the head, But our affair was nothing to the rest, where the 9th corps charged on the Works there were men, one of ours and one of the Rebs each with a Bayonet through him and each holding to the gun which had fallen sidewise. Both dead, it is Horrible to think of much more to look on, the Negro troops fought like Demons. They took but few prisoners one instance I will relate one of the Nigs took a Orderly Sargeant Reb, the Reb did not like to go with the Nig, the Nig told him to come along told him three times But he would not come. The Nig told him if you no come you stay here and he shot him on the spot. You may count on the Cols of this Campaign as a great deal … willing to own there is hardly an hour but what I can hear … somewhere But still it is reported all quiet on the lines, It is no fight at all unless … I am in a dirt place and have carried this sheet of Paper in my pocket a week or more it has been now over three weeks since I have slept under a tent, have laid on the ground. With nothing over me but my Blanket, Except one time I slept … night, and got all covered with … my health is good. Write soon, Send me what papers you see fit __ is acceptable.
Sideways on the front: We have got our Horses been mounted three weeks. I got a letter from Sarah last night. I think I get all the Papers that is sent.
SIZE. Approximately 7 7/8 x 5 1/4 inches when closed.
CONDITION. Fold creases. Soiling and foxing. Small piece missing from center 'spine' on inside. A few tears. A bit of the writing is faded/difficult to decipher, but most is clear. PLEASE SEE SCANS.
FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER:
In the fieldJune 27th 1864
Dear Brother + SisterI Received a letter from you a few days ago, and take this opportunity to answer it although I am now on Guard, sitting on a Box with the paper in my hand, We have had some tall fighting here lately, But I have escaped so far without a scratch But some of our troops are numbered with the dead. We made a charge on a Fort a...t Petersburg and took it to, But could not hold it, We spiked 3 guns and Brought off one, the Rebs fight like very devils. When we made the charge we have them our Volly and they us the same, then they dodged behind their Breast Works to load (they thought we could not fire again) and as soon as they got loaded they rose up to give it to us, but as soon as their heads began to show we began to pour in the shot, and they soon got so that they did not dare to show a head so they put up their guns over their heads and fired at random, The men that was in the Fort were old and young some I should think seventy five years old and some not more than fifteen, some with Rebs Uniform on and some with Citizens Clothes, We killed quite a number of them and took forty Prisoners the most of the killed were shot through the head, But our affair was nothing to the rest, where the 9th corps charged on the Works there were men, one of ours and one of the Rebs each with a Bayonet through him and each holding to the gun which had fallen sidewise. Both dead, it is Horrible to think of much more to look on, the Negro troops fought like Demons. They took but few prisoners one instance I will relate one of the Nigs took a Orderly Sargeant Reb, the Reb did not like to go with the Nig, the Nig told him to come along told him three times But he would not come. The Nig told him if you no come you stay here and he shot him on the spot. You may count on the Cols of this Campaign as a great deal … willing to own there is hardly an hour but what I can hear … somewhere But still it is reported all quiet on the lines, It is no fight at all unless … I am in a dirt place and have carried this sheet of Paper in my pocket a week or more it has been now over three weeks since I have slept under a tent, have laid on the ground. With nothing over me but my Blanket, Except one time I slept … night, and got all covered with … my health is good. Write soon, Send me what papers you see fit __ is acceptable.
Sideways on the front: We have got our Horses been mounted three weeks. I got a letter from Sarah last night. I think I get all the Papers that is sent.
SIZE. Approximately 7 7/8 x 5 1/4 inches when closed.
CONDITION. Fold creases. Soiling and foxing. Small piece missing from center 'spine' on inside. A few tears. A bit of the writing is faded/difficult to decipher, but most is clear. PLEASE SEE SCANS.
