1863 CIVIL WAR SOLDIER LETTER - FREDERICKSBURG VA - ON STAFF OF GEN. O. O. HOWARD
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:192610 |
Civil War soldier's letter, 4 pgs., approx. 5" x 8", from Capt. W.H. Owen, Assistant Quartermaster, Headquarters Howard's Division, 2d Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to his cousin Edward. No dateline in the letter, but the contents reveal that is was written overlooking Fredericksburg, Va., and from the contents can be dated early 1863, after the battle of Fredericksburg in Dec., 1862, and before Gen. Howard's disastrous surprise at the Battle of Chancellorsville. The write...r of this letter was Capt. William Henry Owen, of Brooklin, Maine, who was a classmate of General Oliver Otis Howard at Bowdoin College (Howard graduated in 1850, and Owen graduated in 1851), and was commissioned on Aug. 19, 1861 as a 1st Lt. in Co. K., Maine 3rd Infanry Regt., which at that time was commanded by Col. Oliver O. Howard. On Oct. 31, 1861, he was discharged for promotion into the U.S. Volunteers, Quartermaster's Dept., and served on the staff of Gen. O.O. Howard. Promoted to Capt. & Asst. QM, Oct. 31, 1861; Lt. Col. & Quartermaster on May 22, 1863, and Colonel & Quartermaster on Aug. 2, 1864. Mustered out on June 19, 1865.Great content, in which Capt. Owen writes of the Battle of Fredericksburg, of General Howard losing his arm and being "as brave as a lion"; and more. Includes:"I am writing in Mother's tent, a dwelling nine feet square, logged up about two feed with an ordinary 'Wall Tent' on top. Imagine Mother in such a domicile, on a high hill overlooking Fredericksburg & within range of the rebel batteries!I am Quartermaster on Genl. Howard's Staff. He was a college mate of mine & afterwards went to West Point. He is about my age, is a noble man, very pious, very kind, very just & as brave as a lion. He lost his right arm at Fair Oaks, but was at his post again in less than three months. All his staff are pleasant gentlemen. They are very polite & kind to Mother & she enjoys herself exceedingly. My situation is a pleasant one, though important & responsible. I have much less to do than when in a Brigade. My duties are chiefly administrative - to approve Requisitions of the Brigade Quartermaster, & to look out for the Division Train, consisting of Eighty wagons & four hundred & eighty mules. My duty does not call me into battle. On all such occasions, Quartermasters are under the strictest orders to remain with their trains. Nonetheless, I sometimes slip away to take a closer view & know what the whistling of bullets & shells means. Fred was posted on the roof of a house in Fredericksburg during the late battle, to signalize & was much exposed. I watched his waving flag through my glass, from this side, with great anxiety, as you may suppose. Though for several hours the target of innumerable shells, he escaped almost by a miracle, without a scratch. I hope soon to be able to tell you that he has got a higher position & one less dangerous.When I see you, which I hope will be in a few months, I have lots to tell you. I haven't space to say anything on the political aspect of the war - besides, I don't suppose what I might say would be palatable to you, who are probably a McClellan man, voted for Seymour & an altogether a 'pigeon democrat'. God help our poor country!Much love to all the family & enquiring friends, Ever your affectionate Cousin, W.H. OwenPray write. Direct 'Capt. W.H. Owen, A.Q.M., Head Quarters Howard's Division, 2d Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.Please send me word If Albert & Eddy are still in the Army, & if so, in what Regt., Brigade & Division."Very Fine.
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.[DD #12]
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.[DD #12]
