Union Soldier's Letter, 2 letters from Lt. Henry Metcalf to New Hampshire, one on colorful patriotic cover with Congressional free frank and lettersheet with fine illustration of the U.S. Capitol, datelined Washington, June 27th 1861, Camp Miller; discussing tiring march through Baltimore "unmolested" although locals "looked daggers" at us as we passed; second letter datelined "Hooker's Head Quarters, Grand Army of the Potomac, November 19th 1861", describing a march down the Potomac in full view of the enemy; "the Negroes in the vicinity have provided us with hot-cakes and possum. Niggers are very plentiful hereabouts, but are in a very ignorant and wretched condition, and have not much of an idea of what is going on around the country"; typed transcriptions of the letters accompany, F.-V.F. Estimate  $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, from Pvt James C. Gosselin, 22nd Illinois Reg't's color bearer, datelined Camp Lyon, November the 9th, 1861 remarkably detailed account of the Battle of Belmont, Gen'l Ulysses S. Grant's first major battle of the Civil War. Fiercely fought with many atrocities committed by untrained soldiers on both sides, the battle achieved little, with high death rates, earning Grant the nickname "The Butcher"; with original patriotic cover (Walcott L-2648), transcription and historical commentary, Fine. Estimate  $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, datelined "Camp Miller (near Washington, D.C.), May 16, 1861" from S. Leslie to father in N.J., describing camp life, new tents, tells of a guard shooting cow by mistake, "a great firing of cannons over in Virginia last night", "We have an inspection every day and if anyone does not keep himself clean they put him in the guard house", and more. With transcription, flag patriotic cover with matching letterhead, F.-V.F. Estimate  $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, pair of very historic 10-page letters to Vermont from Lieutenant James Harvey Thayer, 12th Wisconsin Infantry, first datelined Bolivar, Tennessee, Oct 25, 1862, with vivid descriptions of the bloody Battle of Hatchie River, fought during Van Dorn's and Price's retreat from Corinth, information taken from POW's, many political comments, war sentiments & other war details; other letter datelined Camp Butler, Tenn. in Memphis, report of guarding railroad, assignment to Grant's Vicksburg campaign, attack by locals, interesting soldier war sentiment, comments about rebel attitudes, cost of Union uniforms, thoughts about war profits; both letters with original covers stamps cut out, with typed transcriptions of the letters, Fine (no photo). Estimate  $400 - 600. $0

Union Soldier's Letter, from Daniel Gordon of the 58th Ohio, datelined Pittsburgh Landing April the 17 1862, reporting his first person experiences at the Battle of Shiloh; sent "Due 3" in Union patriotic cover Walcott 1176V, stampless with Cairo Ill April 28 1862 cds and a seldom seen sticker added to the cover; transcription accompanies, Fine. Estimate  $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, 4-page letter datelined Warrenton (Va.) April 23rd (1862) to Maine, with original cover postmarked with double circle Washington, D.C. cds, from Charles Beal, filled with interesting information about foraging for food & posting soldier's letters…there was five hundred Rebels cavalry there the night before but they had got wind of our coming and took to their heels before we arrived…We go out foraging almost every day after grain for our horses and food for ourselves…and killed 9 turkeys, 5 ducks, 11 chickens and 2 geese and got a large jar of honey and just as much tobacco as we could carry that was in its natural state. I found one barn of it about 150 feet long and 60 feet wide all strung full of it. I tell you whatever it is we help ourselves to whatever you want. We have not got paid off yet, but we expect to in a few days and then we shall get 4 months pay; accompanied by photocopy of daguerreotype and recruiting poster, F.-V.F. Estimate  $150 - 200. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, 2-page letter from 51st Massachusetts Infantryman Leonard Webster to his wife and children in Smithfield, MA, written from his muster and assembly Camp Briggs in Jamaica, NY on October 15, 1862, about camp life for a new recruit, speaks of wife visiting camp…I think you had better take some 12 or 14 dollars for your expenses…I have 3 dollars left…I don't spend it very fast…my duty is to sweep the barracks…; From the 2nd letter…I had two of my teeth filled which cost me one dollar…we drew our rubber and wooling as soon as we got on to the ground and as our tents were not all here were distributed about the camp…we have men enough to choose officers…my breakfast was hash this morning and if all the meals relish as good it will be better than I expected…; included are the original transmittal cover with stamp faulty), a summary history of Webster's service and a partial transcription of the letter.; also including another Webster letter home, written on patriotic stationery, with further news of camp life., F.-V.F. Estimate  $150 - 200. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, 4-page letter from Corporal John Myers, 28th Iowa Infantry, dateline May 17, 1863, camp near Vicksburg, with vivid descriptions of the fighting at Port Gibson under General Grant, describing battle details, number of casualties and events after the battle; no cover, includes typed transcription & service record, Fine (no photo). Estimate  $150 - 200. $0

Union Soldier's Letter, patriotic cover, sent by Sgt Austin V. Eastman, datelined Harwood Hospital, Washington, D.C. Oct 1st 1862, thanking "Miss Kelly" for sending warm clothes, which he explains are provided through a committee without any charge; cover is misprinted with the red color out of registry; he reports in letter that he was wounded at Bull Run; with transcription and copy of photo, Fine. Estimate  $100 - 150. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, from John C. Cleveland datelined "Camp near Teneytown (D.C.), April 4th 1863", an underage 16 year old Canadian national in the 138th New York, who enlisted with 2 friends from Onondaga, NY; the cover itself is a very rare Home Made Hand-Painted Water Color Anti-War Propaganda Patriotic Protesting Conscription; transcription accompanies, F.-V.F. Estimate  $1,500 - 2,000. The cover has been featured in several philatelic publications including Milgram's Abraham Lincoln Illustrated Envelopes and David L. Jarrett's November 2008 article in The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues. Given the content of the letter, fame of this cover and the uniqueness of the writer provide a major Civil War collectible item. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, two 4-page letters from Cpt. Andrew Upson about moving prisoners, each with its original cover, datelined "Stevenson, Ala., December 14, 1863" and "December 29, 1863"; covers are postmarked Nashville, Ten., letters deal with problems of moving P.O.W.'s…I received orders to proceed to Chattanooga in charge of all the Federal prisoners now confined here…I prefer prisoners with the boys outside who carry loaded guns, then matters go smoothly….two more men returned this morning from eastern hospitals… they were wounded at Gettysburg & now are recovered, other logistic aspects; Upson's service record included, F.-V.F. Estimate  $400 - 600. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, three letters in a series from 45th Massachusetts Infantry (the famous & historic "Boston Cadet Regiment") member Col. Charles Codman to his wife in Boston, written from New Berne, NC; the first letter written on April 14, 1863, about troop movements…Last night a reconnaissance was sent out under Spinola across the river toward Washington…They have not yet returned… News has come from Washington. The 5th Rhode Island were successful in running the blockade. They were fired at and their vessel hit but no one was hurt. The gunboats kept up a fire on the batteries and distracted their attention… … I have been reading an article the April Atlantic called "A Spasm of Sense" which seems to me to be very entertaining and contains much sound advice .Provisions and ammunition reached General Foster with the 5th Rhode Island and with these he can hold Washington. So long as he has provisions and ammunition I do not believe that the enemy can take the place. I have no doubt that our friends in the 44th are safe. I should have heard if it were not so…There is a story this morning that General Foster has arrived in New Bern. I shall not have time to learn its truth before the mail leaves but I should not be surprised if it were true. Since the 5th Rhode Island succeeded in running the blockade it appears to me that our difficulties lessen but I can't comprehend why the naval men have magnified the power of the batteries so greatly.Good bye my dearest. I hope to hear soon that the children are convalescent. My love to them all. Affectionately and fondly yours, CRC (Colonel C R Codman); the second letter dated April 21st continues describing anticipation of future troop movements, etc; family matters, and so forth; the third letter dated June 20th, 1863, also contains war content and speaking of perhaps imminent mustering out, Fine. Estimate  $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, from James Miner of the 15th South Carolina, camped at Winchester, Va.after R.E. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg; there is no reference to the battle or the retreat; typical of Southern soldier's letters home, cover with Federal stamp scraped off probably taken from dead Union soldier; with transcription and much commentary, F.-V.F. Estimate  $100 - 150. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, two letters from Private William Selfe, with vivid first person detailed account of Grant's great blunder at Petersburg, with relevant new information about the battle not in the Official Record, demonstrating that Gen Warren actually rescued Gen Hancock from capture by Confederate troops after Hancock foolishly disobeyed Grant's orders to retreat; talks of his only brother accidentally shooting himself; with summary of the battle, comments, transcription of Selfe's letters, Fine (no photo). Estimate  $500 - 750. This is a significant historic letter, whose contents dramatically correct errors in the Official Record. $0

Union Soldier's Letter, datelined "near Little Rock, Dec 11 1864", on U.S. Christian Commission lettersheet, from Moses Edwards to his sister in Iowa, mostly news of camp life, including, "After breakfast I washed and put on clean clothing in army style, no linen shirts, nor standup collars often worn only by some of the upper ones and office seekers"." …the worse fault I have of being out here is we are cut off of the privilege of going to church"; and other war news; cover with poem warning secessionists to "Trip Lightly"; transcription accompanies with brief history of Edwards with battle descriptions, Very Fine. Estimate  $150 - 200. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter, 1865 letter from Wm. T. Clark of the Pennsylvania 19th Infantry. The letter is of particular interest because it provides a vivid first person account of Sherman's march from Savannah to Fayetteville, NC, missing from most histories. Letter sent in a scarce Scott #U27 "star die" entire captured from a Confederate soldier, postmarked Washington D.C. Mar 31 1865. Transcription accompanies, F.-V.F. Estimate  $100 - 150. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letter & Patriotic Cover, from Leroy Stone, 4th Vermont Infantry, datelined Camp Griffin (6 miles from Washington), October 14, 1861, talks of troop movements and fellow Vermont soldiers; terrific patriotic cover and franked with 3¢ rose postmarked Washington, D.C. transcription accompanies, F.-V.F. Estimate  $150 - 200. $0 (Image)

Union Soldier's Letters, two 1865 letters datelined Jenkins Island, S.C., April 27th, 1863, from Private Gilson Mendall to his wife, postmarked Apr 28, Port Royal S.C. on small patriotic cover with poem "To A Wife" printed by J.A. Howells; mostly family news but some interesting content: "The plantation owners have all either been killed or they have abandoned their houses and slaves have taken them over…the slaves wrecked most of the abandoned plantations, and we did little to stop them. They are very happy to see us." And finally, "Be sure to destroy my letters so that they don't fall in the hands of the enemy spies". With transcriptions, photo, battle maps and 7-page write up on Mendall and the battle., F.-V.F. Estimate  $150 - 200. $0 (Image)