July 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2013
Archive of six Civil War letters sent by Frank P. Longstreet of the 137th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company A, to his friend John J. Dewey. Longstreet writes in horrific detail about the Battle of Antietam; dated 27 September 1862, from a ''Camp in the field three miles from Sharpsburg, Maryland'', Longstreet writes, ''...I enlisted some six weeks ago and our regiment is guarded in camp...Our regiment is the 137th Pennsylvania...Our Brigade was in the late great battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)...We arrived on the battlefield a week ago yesterday and the Regt worked all day Saturday and Sunday burying the dead. The scene was revolting to the extreme. The dead in the field where we worked were piked up by the hundreds all over the field. Some with their heads shot entirely off and some with their head partially off. The scenes begs description. They had lain there three or four days and so sultry had been the atmosphere that decomposition had been making rapid progress. All extremities had swollen beyond point of possible recognition. Features had become one dark mass of putridity and corruption. Forms once active vigorous and manly were distended like bladders. Some of their heads even dropped off while our men were burying them to throw them into the pits dug for them. I am the regimental clerk with the rank of private...marching agrees with me well and I think it will be a good thing for me if I live through it...'' Signed ''F.P. Longstreet''. Two page letter measures 7.75'' x 9.75''. (2) Letter dated 25 May 1862 from Hawley, Wayne County, Pennsylvania reads in part, ''...I thought I should write to you and let you know that there is still such a fellow in the universe as Frank Longstreet...a great many changes have taken place in our country which was then in a prosperous and flourishing state is now in a state of excitement and commotion on account of the civil war...And I hope that those ungrateful sons who have risen up and are endeavoring to destroy the best government on which the sun ever shone will soon be compelled to lay down their arms and return to their allegiance...'' Signed ''Francis P. Longstreet''. (3) Letter dated 23 April 1863 from ''Camp near Bell Plain, VA'' discussing General Hooker and the rebels, reads in part, ''...Our regiment is camped in the same place it was when I wrote you last...the whole army of the Potomac...a much better spin in them than they have previously done for some time. The bad weather which we have been having in this quarter for the last three months has prevented the army from doing anything. The weather is becoming more settled and it is quite probable that the army will move in a few days in the direction of Fredericksburg, the grand center of attention at present. Gen Hooker means I think to let the rebels on the other side of the Rappahannock know and feel that this army is not to be bamboseled by them any longer. The soldiers have unbounded confidence in the ability of Gen. Joe Hooker to command them and lead them on to victory. They will follow him with high hopes and big anticipations...'' Signed ''Frances P. Longstreet''. (4) Letter dated 4 February 1863 from ''Camp near Belle Plain, VA'' reads in part, ''...about ten miles from Fredericksburg, but Oh, such has of mud man or mule has never before waded through in some places our wagons stuck but deep, we had to fetch in and pry them up and double team out...'' Signed ''Frances P. Longstreet'' and signed again with his company address. (5) Letter from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, dated 24 August 1863, ''...I am still alive and kicking. I came out of the military service unscathed and unharmed by the missels of the enemy. The last battle in which our regt was at Chancellerville VA and left the Rasfasahanneck for Harrisburg...'' Signed ''F.P. Longstreet''. (6) 28 January 1865 letter from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania discusses his affection for their friendship, ''...In respecting nobly as you did to your country's call you acted the part of a hero as well as that of a true and loyal american.'' Signed ''Frank P. Longstreet''. Letters are accompanied by a Philologian Society broadside commemorating the birth of Abraham Lincoln, dated 12 February 1866 and two original envelopes, both made out to Dewey. Letters are very legible with elegant handwriting. An exceptional and unusually honest set of letters about the realities of war.
Incredible Antietam Content -- "…The scene was revolting to the extreme…Some with their heads shot entirely off…Features had become one dark mass of putridity and corruption…"
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