July 2016 Auction Ends Thursday, July 21st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/21/2016
Lot of 4 Civil War soldier letters. Letters are from 80th Illinois Infantrymen Moses Thompson and Thomas G. Williams and from Mississippi Marine Brigade members Corporal William D. Wilson and Sergeant Albert J. Slaton. Three of these letters are addressed to Mollie Wood of Upper Alton, Illinois, and the other is addressed to one of the soldiers who wrote to Mollie. Comprises: (1) William D. Wilson's letter to Mollie from the Steamer Baltic at Goodridges, dated 28 November 1863, ''...I have just got in off of a two days scout in which time I never had the saddle off my mule. Part of the time we had a road and part of the time we had no road. We were after some Rebs that was reported to be at a little town about 25 miles from the river but they found out we was coming and left for tall timber. We followed them and took a few prisoners but did not get any fight out of them for they did not appear to be inclined to stand and fight...We take mules and horses where ever we can find them belonging to Rebs...W.D.Wilson''; (2) Wilson is kept updated on the doings of his cohorts as Albert J. Slaton writes to him from Vicksburg on 1 November 1864, ''...as far as I know we the Marines are still in camp or rather in holes on the same ground you left us...Brig General Maltly is commanding our brigade. He puffs up the Marines like blazes but soft soap is required to keep them under...''; (3) on 15 January 1864 Thomas G. Williams writes to Mollie from Whitesides, TN, ''...You requested me to write to you as soon as I received your letter and let you know where Sol [Solomon Wood, Mollie's brother in the 80th IL] is and how he is getting along. He was well and full of fun as ever yesterday and last night. I went down to his shantee. We had an old Wood River singing spree...You must not be uneasy about Sol for he and myself are coming back to Wood River yet and no danger of killing us as long as they will give us anything to eat...Thomas G. Williams''; (4) letter to Mollie from Moses Thompson, datelined Nashville Gen. Hospital 28 March 1865, ''...then again I have thought of it and thought I would get married. There are some very good looking young ladies down here in the state of Tenn. But then I don't fancy them very much...Moses Thompson''. Accompanied by various documents from the Wood family including Corporal Wilson's discharge document dated 20 January 1886 and an undated letter from Wilson presumably to the Pension authority reading, ''...I was crippled about the 22nd day of June 1864 by a fall through the hole in the barge used for carrying horses and mules on while landing to feeding the stock. After dark. Fracturing my thigh and dislocating my hip joint and injuring the spine very badly...I went into the Army a stout harty man and come out a perfectly used up man...'' Also included are more than 30 pieces of Wood family documents ranging in date from 1839 to 1928. Expected toning and scattered minor tears and separation to letters. Near fine overall.
Lot of 4 Civil War Letters From Soldiers in the 80th Illinois & Mississippi Marine Brigade -- ''...We were after some Rebs...We followed them and took a few prisoners...'' -- Plus 30+ Documents
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