March 2012 Auction Ends Wednesday, March 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2012
Letter from Horace B. Gardner of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Company M. Written in ink and datelined ''Fort Tillinghast Jan 27 /63,'' letter reads in part: ''...It has been a very rainy day to day and so we could not work on the fort that we are building and I do no think it will be pleasant for a long time as it is just the season to rain...but as we are building the fort we have to go to work whether it rains or shines. The fort we are building now is to be the largest one in Virginia and it will take us about 6 weeks to build it...There was one of the boys of Co. F when he got paid off he went down river some wheres and got 365 bushels of oysters...when he got back the Colonal told him that he must give up the oysters or be Court Marshalled for deserting for if a man misses more than 3 regular roll calls he is called a deserter...he gave up the oysters and the Colonal divided them amongst the regiment and to night we had an oyster supper. Last Sunday we presented our second Lieutenant with a handsome sword and equipment...he...was promoted for good conduct...Our regiment has been ordered to report to Fort Warren but I hope not for I do not want to go home until this war is ended...'' Horace Gardner mustered into Company M on 17 March 1862, was wounded at Petersburg on 18 June 1864 and discharged for those wounds on 22 November 1864 at West Philadelphia. Before being discharged, Gardner was engaged in battle at Harris Farm, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Letter runs 3.25pp. Fine condition.
1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery 1863 ALS -- ''...the Colonal told him that he must...be Court Marshalled for deserting for if a man misses more than 3 regular roll calls he is called a deserter
Click above for larger image.