March 2012 Auction Ends Wednesday, March 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2012
Letter from David Hall of the 139th Illinois Infantry, Company G. Datelined ''Franklin, MO / Office Provost Marshall / Oct 10, 1864,'' letter reads in part: ''...Our first Camp after leaving Benton Barracks was at Sulphur Springs, some 6 miles from St. Louis. Our next on the Meramec River and we are now on the same river. While at Camp Davidson I went out to get some Paw Paws, found shells instead...Lieut...& Myself went to the river to explore...Today, hearing a great deal said about a Cave in the high hill, a short distance from town, Lieut...and I started out, found it, could not explore it without lights, went back got some candles and started out, Capt. & Major and me went - The Cave is artificial, 150 feet perhaps more, Rock white sand stone and has been taken out and sent away for making glass, everyman in the two Regiments have been in it today with candles, donned with picks, hatchets, axes, knives & bayonets...Have been in the cave 3 times today, the second & third times found hundreds of our boys & from the 134th all busy at work digging out those hard stones...'' Hall mustered into Company G on 1 June 1864 and mustered out on 28 October 1864 at Peoria, Illinois. A 100-day regiment, the 139th Infantry passed its three month term serving garrison duty in Cairo. When its term expired, the regiment stayed on an additional two months to participate in defeating Price's Raid of Missouri. Ink letter measures 5'' x 8'' and runs 2pp. Edgewear and some toning at folds. Near fine condition.
1864 139th Illinois Infantry -- "…Today, hearing a great deal…about a Cave…I…found it…The Cave is artificial, 150 feet…white sand stone…"
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