1862 CIVIL WAR SOLDIER LETTER - FORT SCOTT VA - W/COVER LATE USE OF 1857 ISSUE
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:199881 |
Civil War soldier's letter, 3 pgs., approx. 5" x 8", dated at Fort Scott, Va., Sept. 2, 1862, from John B. Ryder, to his Mother & Sisters, at Morris, Ct.Includes the original cover (envelope), with #26 3c Washington, 1857 issue, tied by Sept. 4, 1862 dated ALEXANDRIA, VA. double circle - a scarce very late usage of the 3c 1857 issue, which was demonetized with the release of the new 1861 issue in Aug., 1861, and was no longer valid for postage at this time. The... writer of this letter, John B. Ryder, of New Britain, Ct., enlisted early in the war on April 23, 1861 in the 1st Regt. Ct. Infantry, a 3 months Regiment, and was mustered out on July 31, 1861. He then enlisted on April 12, 1862 into Co. I, 1st Regiment Ct. Heavy Artillery, and died of disease on April 23, 1864. Great content, written while a member of the 1st Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery, garrisoned at Fort Scott, as part of the defenses of Washington. He writes of a "bloody battle" occurring nearby on the previous Saturday (Aug. 30, 1862), which was the 2nd Battle of Bull Run, but he doesn't know who the victor was. TRANSCRIPTION: "Dear Mother & Sisters, I have received your letter and was very happy to hear from you. I received the five dollars & have lent 2 dollars and 25 cts. out of it. I get 50 cents interest for 3 dollars till pay day. I could loan 50 dollars if I had it and get big interest for it. We have got a splendid place now in the Fort. We are in 4 miles of Washington. We are on a hill where we can see Washington and Alexandria. We have buildings to sleep in now and we can keep clean. The Boys want me to send after my violin, but I don't think I will at present. You spoke about that box of mine. You need not send it yet until we get settled. I will let you know when to send it. If we stay here all winter, I shall want it, but we don't know how long we will stay, but I hope it will be all winter. There was a bloody battle west of here last Saturday, but I don't know which side whipped. My health is a good deal better now. I hope these few lines will find all in good health. You keep the things you have got to send in the box till I let you know, for the boys have lost a good many things that have been sent to them, and so I want to wait till we get settled. I buy my milk now for 8 cents per quart & pies for 10 cents a piece. That is pretty cheap. I had some green corn last night, boiled. I went out into a corn field and picked some. We enjoy ourselves a good deal better now, for we can get something good to eat and that is worth a good deal you know. I have not much time to write a very long letter this time, for I want to write one to Sister Mary & one to Allen Norton this afternoon. Give my love to Dewitt and tell him I expect to come home when the war is over. Give my love to all enquiring friends, and reserve a large share for yourself. Write soon as you can and direct the same as before. Your Obedient Son, John B. Ryder"The letter is Very Fine. The cover has small edge tears and nicks, and some staining at right, and the stamp is damaged (pre-use).COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS. [DD #7]
