December 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, December 17th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2013
Lot of three Civil War autograph letters signed by John Hone of the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Sharpshooters. Letters are addressed to his aunt Hannah, Mrs. Amos Prince in Danvers Center, Massachusetts. (1) Letter datelined Hall Hill, Virginia, 5 September 1862 reports on the Second Battle of Bull Run, reading in part, "…It is three weeks today since I left Boston. I arrived here last night…Instead of finding a thousand men in the regiment as when I left it six months, there is only about 150 men able to do duty. I was told by one of the men that when they arrived here Wed after the retreat from Manassas that they stacked arms with 112 men. This unit is now commanded by orderly sgt Upton. It is the largest co in the regiment, having in all 30 men…Capt Wentworth was coming back to take command of this company. If he does I think he will not meet with a very pleasant reception. The men in the regiment have no knapsacks or clothes, except what they have got on their backs. Some I have seen with nothing but his pants and blouses on…The rebels yesterday drove our pickets in about 2 miles, but before any of our regiments could get to them they had left. None of our men were hurt…John H Hone". He makes mention of fellow soldiers in his unit named Howlett, Kidder and Powers. Runs 3pp. on a single sheet of ruled card-style stationery, measuring 5" x 8". (2) Letter datelined Camp Gov, near Falmouth, Virginia, 13 May 1863. Reads in part, "…I can't say that I'm in the best of health for I am tired and sore footed. Since I wrote last, we have marched a good many miles (90) fought a hard battle, gained nothing but once more retreated to this camp from which we have three times unsuccessfully attempted to leave…We were the 1st brigade upon the battlefield, and the last to leave it. In the retreat we were the rear guard of the army. We were not in the hottest of the fighting, though. We were used as skirmishers or picket, or scouting about from one place to another. We had 2 of this company killed by shells (the rebs don't seem to care where their shells drop. I think that gen hooker has some good plans laid, but the 11th corp broke and run and gave the rebs possession of the plank road which caused our retreat. I think the loss of the rebs must have been greater then ours. We took a great many prisoners. (one of them says to me, (you ain't such bad men as I thought you were)…they seem to be as tired of this war as we are, and long for the close, though they think it will last as long as Abe Lincoln is president. We have to carry 8 days rations besides our tents and clothing, which is no very small load to carry through mud, ford rivers, climb hills and double quick every other mile with drunken officers on horses to lead off…Do you ever show my letters to any one I want you to burn them…John H. Hone". Runs 4pp. on a single sheet of ruled card-style stationery. (3) Letter datelined Camp 22 Mass Regt. near Beverly Ford, Virginia 11 December 1863. Reads in part, "…I suppose you have heard all about the late movements of this army. I see by the papers that the people back home are dissatisfied by this army because we fell back with out engaging the enemy…If we had charged the works that we were 1st ordered to they would be very few of us left to have told the tail [sic]. When we advanced across the Rapidan, the rebel cavalry attacked our wagon train and burn and destroyed some 20 wagon loads of grain besides taking away 60 or 70 mules and horses and 20 or 30 prisoners. This regiment being the last in the division we were ordered back to drive the rebels from the wagons…we had a few shots at them before they left, killing 2 and wounding some others, which they carried away with them…The wagon guard was taken prisoner…we had no rations…thanksgiving day we marched all day. For my dinner I had a few pieces of hard tack…The government now offers us large bounties for us to reenlist…John H Hone." Letter runs 4pp. on a single sheet of ruled card-style stationery. Hone survived the war. Letters are near fine.
Civil War Letter Lot by John H. Hone of the 2nd Massachusetts Sharpshooters -- With Manassas Content -- "…after the retreat from Manassas…men…have no knapsacks or clothes…"
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