July 2016 Auction Ends Thursday, July 21st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/21/2016
Pair of Civil War letters by Winfield Scott Armstrong of the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry, written as a member of the Philadelphia Home Guards prior to his federal enlistment. Letter datelined Philadelphia 1 June 1863 reads in part, ''Dear Friend...I am so glad that you escaped injury in the late terrible conflict with the Enemy. Your Regiment did not suffer so heavily as some...people are almost losing all faith in the newspapers now, Richmond, Vicksburg and other places have been reported captured, and the next day they are refuted. Did you ever hear of Col. J Richter Jones [58th Pennsylvania]...stationed out in N. Carolina and who was killed not long ago. He commanded an expedition of five regiments whom he lead acrose...the great gum swamp, he had repelled the enemy and driven them from their encampments and had returned to head quarters again, when a party of rebels came in sight he went out with two companies and attacked them. Standing up he looked over the breast works and gave some commands, when a bullet entered his breast and he died instantly, thus he fell in the hour of victory, in a few days he would have been a Brigadier General...I know not of a nobler man who has fallen. Although he belonged to that clap of people called Copperheads and though he did not agree with all the procedures of the present Administration, yet he thought it was his duty to fight for his country...At his home when they would have no minister he would collect the people and preach to them himself. He was the uncle of one of my most intimate friends...W.S. Armstrong''. Second letter is datelined Philadelphia, 9 March [no year]. Armstrong writes to an unnamed friend in the Army, in part, ''...The other day the college company marched up from the Drill room to the campus...went through the drill to the delight of a wondering crowd...The only draw back to our glory...was the inscription 'P.H.G.' upon our belts, which signifies 'Philadelphia Home Guards'. There were several military men among the spectators. Col. Rush was there I believe and though that we went through with a good deal of accuracy. If you had seen us you would have laughed...There was a large political meeting upon Chestnut St. the other night. Among others [Clement] Valandigham made a speech. He said that all assertions to the effect that he was a traitor were false...I guess you are troubled with the darkies down upon the Potomac. How would you like the idea of making soldiers of them? It is my opinion that they would become panic stricken, and kill as many of our men as of the enemy. The most of the people here are impatient to get Lincoln out of the White House, and to place in his stead McClellan...'' Armstrong enlisted in the 103rd PA on 22 March 1865 and survived the war. First letter runs 4pp. on a single sheet of card-style stationery with patriotic ''Onward'' print. Measures 5.25'' x 8''. Second letter runs 4pp on a single sheet of plain card-style stationery. Measures 5.5'' x 7.25''. First letter shows separation along more than half of the fold and a small tear from the right edge, else near fine.
Letter Lot With Battle of Gum Swamp Content -- ''...Standing up [Col. Richter] looked over the breast works and gave some commands, when a bullet entered his breast and he died instantly...''
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