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One of the smartest and most engrossing Civil War collection we've encountered, an archive of 79 letters by Henry Knox Sikes, great-grandson of the 1st U.S. Secretary of War, Henry Knox who served during the Revolutionary War, and nephew of Henry Knox Thatcher, Rear Admiral during the Civil War. Sikes enlisted in August 1862 as a 21-year-old private in the 1st New York Mounted Rifles, Co. G, rising in rank to Quartermaster Sergeant before mustering out in 1865. Sikes' letters are extraordinarily engaging, revealing a humorous, intelligent and brave character, with a certain bravado one might expect of his family name. All of Sikes' letters are written to his sister with whom he was very close, having been partially raised by her after both his parents died when he was a young boy. Sikes' letters are quite long and detailed, with most running 6+ pages and many extending over several days.
Sikes' exceptionalism was noted early, with a multi-day letter from 31 August-4 September 1862 reading in part, ''...I have my horse now -- a jet black, rather small. Drew him today & this morning was on mounted drill for the1st time & was told by the drill master that I drilled better than anyone in the squad. In sabre drill I am some pumpkins & can flourish my sabre in all directions, points, parries, guard, &c. according to the most approved tactics...''
Sikes' first brush with danger occurs on 28 October 1862 with a skirmish at Providence Church, VA preceding the Siege of Suffolk. Letter reads in part, ''...Have you seen any account of our late engagement at the Blackwater? It occurred last Saturday a week ago. We left camp on Friday afternoon and took the advance of the Harlan Cavalry and two brigades of infantry. We marched until about 12 o'clock and bivouacked within five miles of the Blackwater. Early in the morning our advance started again and as it neared the river was attacked by a small party of rebels. A Lieut. Wheelan, a fine officer belonging to Troop F, was shot three times in the head from which he died on the next day. An infantry officer was wounded. The rebels were quickly driven back and our artillery was posted on the banks of the river & at once commenced a vigorous shelling of the opposite banks. The rebels in their retreat across the river had tore up the bridge & our horses had to swim the river, after crossing which we scoured the country at a gallop for some 10 miles from the river. Houses were mostly deserted & our men completely sacked many of them...''
Another skirmish at Blackwater Bridge, VA occurs a few days later on 14 November: ''...Yours was received on the 13th in the evening. On the morning of that day we started on a scout in search of some rebels who had the night before attacked our pickets at Providence Church some six miles from Suffolk. We traveled all day making a circuit of some 35 miles, arriving in camp just at dark...but had not been 15 minutes in bed before the regiment was turned out for another scout. This time we rode to Blackwater Bridge where at noon on Friday we shelled a rebel camp, across the river, from which the rebels ran. Co. B crossed and secured some tents, guns, and a lot of ammunition but being attacked, had a smart fight and lost 1 killed and 4 wounded. We marched on to Zuni, a small place on the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad & seeing some rebels escaping to the woods, we gave the woods a vigorous shelling & must have done the rebels considerable injury as from the manner in which they replied with shot guns I judge they were posted in some force. From this place we returned to camp arriving at 9 on Friday evening having traveled some 55 or 60 miles, making in all since Thursday morning some 90 miles...There is a rebel regiment posted in the woods in the vicinity of Providence Church and they continue to harass our pickets. We have one Troop there on picket all the time & have had four or five [skirmishes]. Last night Troop M had a skirmish with the rebels there. One corporal shot but not killed. I fear we are to have stirring times here soon. This much I can say, I think this place is well defended & can be held against a very large force...''
These ''stirring times'' showed themselves at the Battle of Swift Creek, with Sikes writing on 17 May 1863, ''Two weeks ago today we fought the rebels within a mile of Suffolk. Sharp skirmishing was kept up through the day & at night the enemy taking the double quick moved off to reinforce Lee...the buzzing of shells as they passed over head was quite amusing. Yes, I mean it. There is a kind of pleasing excitement in the buzz of a shell which almost excludes fear. / Before we left ''Sander's Town'', the rebels threw shells around our post quite thickly, aimed at the gunboats, but passing away over. One struck about 50 feet from me, so near that I dropped down upon all four, but, like a majority of their shells, it did not burst. Monday morning of the fight, Squadron G took the Providence Road out as far as the church, thence across to Franklin & South Quay roads & so into Suffolk again. All quiet & no enemy in sight except a few stragglers that we picked up along the road from the church which showed signs of having been used as an amputating hospital & about which were many graves. Was sent back to Suffolk with six prisoners which I turned over to the Provost Marshal. A temporary bridge in place of the old drawbridge across the Nansemond had, during our absence, been taken up, but fortunately some soldiers had just bailed out an old oyster boat and ordering them to bring it to the shore, I embarked my prisoners, arms, &c. for we had picked up a number of guns, a sabre, &c. & with the act of a pole & a couple pieces of board, we soon crossed the river, but had to walk about two hours before I could get my horses across which with a guard I had left on the other side. / Our pickets now extend to the church again as formerly. A few nights since our 2nd Lieutenant (Frank Boudinot) with 20 men proceeded to Blackwater coming across a couple of mounted pickets a mile or 2 this side of Zuni -- a right smart place situated on the Petersburg Railroad where it crosses the river. They shot one, captured the other, proceeded to the reserve which greatly outnumbered our men & gave them a volley & retired, but not until we had three horses shot, two of which we left behind. The rider of one hasn't yet turned up unless in Richmond. The other was chased a long distance and once nearly surrounded, but not desirous of a trip to the rebel capitol, took to the woods and escaped. The third horse was but slightly injured. The next day, Gen. Corcoran advanced toward Blackwater with a large force & met the enemy but in what force or with what success, I am unable to say. Day before yesterday we could hear heavy cannonading in that direction & report said that Gen. Corcoran was driving them...''
In Sikes' next letter, he humorously shares his opinion about the risk-adversity of his commanding General Peck (a recurring theme in his letters), writing, ''I wish the report that Gen. Peck had taken Richmond with his cavalry...have been true, but also there was not the slightest foundation for such a rumor. Gen. Peck won't take anything that he ought to except his dinner...'' He writes in the same letter, ''...I find nothing very romantic in the Sunny South, this land of big mosquitoes, noisy frogs, unearthly peacocks, and torturing gnats. I actually wouldn't live here for a fortune if not obliged to...'' Ironically though, after settling in Peoria, IL after the war, Sikes relocated to Mississippi towards the end of his life and is buried there.
The regiment leaves Suffolk in early July - ''burning barracks, stables, &c. but injuring no private property'', moving east to Norfolk where they engage in the Battle of Boon's Mill on 28 July 1863. He writes, ''...We left here on the 25th with a force of about 1400 men, consisting of four pieces of artillery under the command of Capt. Howard, Battery L, 4th US, 1st New York Mounted Rifles with two 12# howitzers, and the 11th Penn. Cavalry with their two howitzers. The whole under command of Col. Spear of the 11th, acting Brig. General. On the 27th we crossed the Chowan River at Winton by means of numerous transports sent up from Newbern for the purpose. Our regiment being in the advance & consequently first to cross had the opportunity of taking a rest of several hours as it was quite dark before our rear guard had crossed and was underway from Winton. Winton must have been a beautiful place before the rebellion, but it was here that the Hawkins Zouaves lost heavily in one of their engagements under Burnside & in exchange they laid the place in ashes. There are now but three or four buildings standing in the whole place. / From here we marched to Murfreesboro where we arrived at 2 a.m. Here we learned that a small force of the rebs with two pieces of artillery had just left, in fact departed as we entered town. But our gallant commander instead of pushing on a battalion to capture them, as we found to our cost. I was tired and when the order to open file and dismount was given, I threw myself from my horse & hanging my bridge reign over my arm in trooper style, I stretched myself out upon a stoop which projected out onto the side walk, was soon laying in a stock of ''tired nature's sweet restorer, &c.'' Some two hours after daylight, the march was resumed very leisurely in direction of Jackson -- 23 miles distant from Murfreesboro. On the road we captured a large number of pickets & our advance guard charging into Jackson in the afternoon took more prisoners, making in all 46 including several officers & non-coms. Just beyond the town, we found the rebs strongly posted behind breastworks.''
He continues, ''This was the day for the 11th [Pennsylvania Cavalry] to have the advance which they had kept so long as there was nothing but pickets to oppose them and plenty of plunder on the route, but though heretofore boasting that their forte was charging batteries, &c., when ordered to charge the position of the rebs, they broke into confusion and the Mounted Rifles were called forward. But though making a most gallant charge, they were unable to command the works for some time. There had been quite a brisk cannonading going on but a furious storm ensuing put a stop to further proceedings & our commander learning that his delay had allowed the rebs to get reinforcements from Weldon, only 7 miles distant, prudently withdrew in the darkness which by this time had fallen upon us. Our loss was 3 killed and 2 wounded and I understand the 11th has some 60 missing who were too d__k [drunk] to keep along with the column. / We retreated about ten miles over the worst road I ever traveled as the heavy rain had flooded the road and washed away many...In the morning, our squadron was left to guard the prisoners and proceeding by an unfrequented road, we that night reached Winton while the main body proceeded through Murfreesboro. This was the hardest day's ride I think I ever had -- some 40 miles...Added to this, in the afternoon, we were visited by the hardest rainstorm I ever saw. Not only did the rain descend in torrents, but the wind blew so furiously as almost to take us from our horses & half our prisoners attempted escape. I think they might have succeeded in getting away as it would have been almost impossible to have used any firearms and pursuit would have been alike impracticable...I have no doubt had we been under a different commander, we might have reached Weldon & cut the railroad as was our object, taken more prisoners, and made a brilliant affair of it...'' To underscore this opinion, Sikes writes in his next letter, ''I hope Spear will never resume command of the brigade again for he is a drunken officer not fit to command a brigade.''
Sikes is proud of his Knox family name; he writes of desiring a promotion, ''such as one as I, Henry Knox, ought to have (don't be shocked at my lack of modesty. I'm proud of my name & blood if I haven't much to back it)''. He also writes proudly of his regiment, ''if they [Rebels] attempt any of their practical jokes upon the Rifles, they will find, I predict, that they have come to the wrong shop for be it known there is not a better armed, better drilled regiment in the service of our Uncle Samuel, nor a regiment upon which more dependence is placed & we have always been the terror to the reptiles along the Blackwater or in Northeastern North Carolina. With our carbines, we can act as inf. and are well versed in all kinds of bushwhackery & with our pistols and sabers & mounted upon our steeds, we are equal to considerable [?] at close quarters...'' He also describes how the Mounted Rifles are called upon to hunt out guerillas, ''Today it has been made known to us that three is a gang of infamous guerrillas inside our lines. How or where they came, I know not but this afternoon the infantry picket on the Williamsburg road was fired at some miles from here & of course the Mounted Rifles were called on to scour the woods in that vicinity for nothing can be done without us. If a shot is fired upon the outpost, Troop G must mount, dash out in whatever direction it may be, and hunt through woods, over hills, & in valleys [for] offenders...''
On 30 August 1863 Sikes describes a raid: ''...the Mounted Rifles -- started on a raid. On the night of the 26th, we came upon a picket of the enemy twelve miles out but as the 5th had the advance, they didn't catch any of them. Remained there for the night. Started before daylight next morning and at Statesville, 5 or 6 miles this side of New Kent Court House, came across another picket, our regiment in advance. The 1st and 2nd Battalions charged them into New Kent, capturing 3, nine escaping. The confounded rascals had telegraph wire all along the road for whole distance & many of our men became thrown by it & it much delayed our speed. I got my horse entangled in a bunch of it & again got a couple of turns around my legs which nearly pulled me out of my saddle, my horse being at full speed at the time...When within about 18 miles from Richmond, we again started their pickets and again with sabers drawn, we charged them, driving them back for 7 or 8 miles to their reserve, inside of breastworks. Here it was understood they had a force of 1,000 men and six pieces of artillery and we went no further. In fact, we could look into the breastworks, see men and horses, but they were upon the further side of a river (I suppose the Chickahominy) and we should have had to cross a bridge to get at them which they might have cut & prevented our return. So we were within 11 miles of Richmond & drove in the reserve pickets...Next day...four companies of Stuart's boasted cavalry came down upon us as the 5th [Pennsylvania] had the rear and the rebs, I fear, would have given them the worst of it but we sent out a Battalion of the Mounted Rifles and drove them for three miles...We lost no men but the 5th had one or two men shot & I understand several taken prisoners. We brought in 6 or 8 rebels and among their horses we took one large roan which they seized in Penn. on their last raid there. So you see we have met and vanquished Stuart's Cavalry...''
In a fascinating letter dated 6 March 1864, Sikes describes how the Mounted Rifles encountered men of the famous Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid, in small part, ''...having the honor Of extreme advance, my orders were upon reaching the station to hop from my horse and block the track as it was supposed we should catch the train from Richmond which daily runs out nearly to White House. The point reached, I jumped from my horse & immediately stopped railroad communication between Richmond and the White House & looked in the latter direction surely expecting to see the train. Saw it not. It seems that Johnnies [illegible] is a considerable sized rat and as we soon learned, had that day only run their trains out as far as Savage Station. / Looking for the train, I saw a chap coming down the road with rifle at hand and at once ordered one of my men to capture or shoot the fellow if he would not surrender but the nimble chap turned & running faster than the horse up the road & over the bank was quickly out of sight. Turning our eyes in the opposite direction, we saw their polished arms flashing brightly in the sun. The advance guard was quickly drawn up behind a freight car and we awaited their approach for they evidently had not seen us or thinking their number equal to ours were going to show fight. On they came, when to spoil the whole fun Col. Spear, who is always making a confounded blunder came up with the whole column, notwithstanding repeated warning to keep back out of sight, the Johnnies on the railroad at once caught sight of him & separating started for the woods & now our only chance to get them was a charge & away your brother went up the road as fast as spur & high mettle would carry him. Lt. Colbrant, our orderly sergeant, and myself had the lead & we chased the rascals about two miles but they took the woods & were out of sight. However, we contented ourselves with smashing up a valuable steam engine & burning a saw mill and other buildings belonging to the Confederate government situated near ''Summit'' Station. My first attempt as an incendiary, but I succeeded very well as the flames almost immediately testified. / Returning we ran a freight car off the track and burned that together with several other buildings, captured two fine horses, two rebs, several negroes, and returned to New Kent at night and the scout via Baltimore Crossroad again visited Tunstalls & reported about 3,000 of the enemy-- artillery, cavalry and infantry -- as just going into camp there. Our scout was near enough to them [?] orders given so next morning our cavalry and a portion of the artillery started out to the attack, taking this time the road to White House three or four miles form the latter place, started the pickets and drove them pell mell back to the railroad when we came suddenly upon 3500 or 4000 cavalry and artillery of Gen. Kilpatrick's command whose pickets we had been chasing and his gay battle flag met our eyes, cheer after cheer went the air, instead of the rattle of carbine that we had just been looking for. New York met New York and Pennsylvania met Pennsylvania & a boisterous greeting ensued. This column consisted of the 24th, 5th, and 8th New York, 16th, 17th, Pennsylvania, 1st Maine, 3rd Indiana with two batteries of artillery while Kilpatrick himself at the head of the column (making about 10,000 in all) with some 800 prisoners had gone another route, they had been in sight of Richmond, inside their first and up to their 2nd line of breastworks, fought for three hours, and fell back with the above number of prisoners...having accomplished what we went out for, we returned to New Kent...arriving in camp at 4 p.m. Friday, having been fired on at Barhamsville & capturing one of the 1st Virginia Cavalry...''
In his next letter, dated 23 March 1864, Sikes lambasts Colonel Dahlgren's gruesome death and also the Virginia Cavalry regiments that killed him: ''...We have so far chastised the murderers of Col. Dahlgren as to burn the camp of the 9th (''Gay 9th'' as they style themselves) Cavalry, killed the leader of the guerrillas against Col. Dahlgren & taken some prisoners, but the Gay 9th and the 5th Virginia Cavalry which we met would not stand for a fight but fled in their usual chivalric manner...Our regiment had an exciting charge after the skedaddlers through very deep mud & for a long distance. On Wednesday last 4 p.m., 100 of the Rifles and 100 of the 11th [Penn. Cavalry] with a day's feed and 3 days rations left camp for Yorktown. The 100 from this regiment was made up of Troop G, F & B. Crossing to Gloucester Point, we laid until Thursday night when having drawn rations and forage for another day and being joined by another 100 men from the 11th, we resumed the march, not halting until we reached Mathews Court House early the next morning. This was a hard night's march. We drove the 5th Va. Cavalry from the Court House where that regiment, as veterans, had come home to recruit. G. Troop captured several of their horses and some of us had an exciting race after some guerrillas while others captured some of the 5th men...''
Battle content continues, with Sikes writing on 25 May 1864 of the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, in part, ''...On the night of the 21st, the rebels, well supplied with gunpowdered whiskey, attempted to carry our outworks by a series of charges. Our men secure behind their breastworks fairly mowed them down as they came rushing on to their doom with the yells of their friends. Charge after charge they made, but every time unsuccessful. They at last discontinued their unprofitable work leaving the ground in our front piled with their dead and dying. We lost but one man killed in the affair and five or six wounded. Such a terrific cannonading as we kept up for a couple of hours was seldom ever heard for miles away the ground trembled as if shaken by a succession of earthquakes & the roar must have caused many a sleepless eye in Richmond on that night...''
In the same letter Sikes writes humorously, ''Did you tell Uncle I was 23? Believe that is my age. Ain't certain...Too much to think about to remember whether I'm growing old or young. My birthday was celebrated much more quietly than the day before, though the buzz of rifle balls had hardly left my ears...''
Sikes describes the Battle of the Crater in his 31 July 1864 letter, ''...Yesterday we took the outer line of rebel works about Petersburg, blowing up a fort with a regiment of South Carolina fire eaters so high that I'll warrant them never to rebel against any of their Uncles again. As yet, unsuccessful with the 2nd line. Gen. Burnside said to be wounded but don't know of certainty. Hope not. Was out to Petersburg last Sunday & had a pretty good view of the city considering that I was over a mile away and the day was rather cloudy. I should say the place was well enough supplied with churches when if properly attended & ministered larger population than that of Petersburg might have learned better doctrines than those entertained by Davis & Co...''
In his 2 November 1864 letter, Sikes' swagger comes through nicely, as he singularly responds to an ''impudent'' challenge by Confederate cavalry officers. After disagreeing with a Captain's cowardly command to retreat during a scouting mission, Sikes writes, ''...proceeded some 5 or 6 miles further in direction of the rebel capitol when suddenly, ''Column Left About!'' & we were headed for home. Whether our Boy commander saw a guerrilla or two up the road or what the cause for turning back (we had two days rations in haversack), I cannot say. But this I'm certain of, that just after we'd turned and halted I spied a couple of rebs hovering in our rear but keeping within convenient distance of the woods. I was in charge of extreme rear guard & taking a squint with my glass, I made the chaps out to be rebel officers who, confound their impudence, had the coolness to sit there on their horses & shake their sabers at me. Perhaps this bit of defiance didn't cut me a little & perhaps some of the rear guard didn't ''drive the rowels in the side'' and dash across that large field on the far side of which these rascals were. My noble black threw sacred soil at a rapid gallop. I assure you those secesh horses never scratched gravel any livelier than then. But having a long start & perfect familiarity with the numerous wood paths into which they plunged, the rebs escaped us though we gave them a tough pull, I can tell you...''
He continues, ''These cavalry fellows seldom give us a fair race on a straight road as we can out run them, but sneak along near the woods just out of rifle range & drive in out of sight whenever we give chase. Thieving of the worst kind seemed to be the order with the 4th [Mass] and the McClellan Cavalry, and scarce a house on the route back to camp that they didn't enter & steal from. This was permitted by the commanding officer, even under our very picket posts & if these miserable specimens of troopers, these disgracing representatives of our army, the numbers of the 4th Mass. and 20th N. Y. McClellan Cavalry don't see guerrillas some of these nights on picket, then I'm mistaken. The people outside know to whom they are indebted & they'll bushwhack these recruits some of these days as true as you live. / Our rear guard got a volley from the woods on the way in and the 2nd Lieutenant of my troop received a ball in the side but is not dangerously wounded. He rode into camp. We also lost one man taken prisoner but through his own fault, however, as he fell out of the column on the march and eluding the rear guard straggled behind. Reached camp in dark same night. Today we received a hurried notice to ''saddle up'' and in ten minutes time were galloping off from camp. It seems that information had been received of a party of guerrillas outside the pickets & we went to look for them but didn't see anything of them. They have a wholesome fear of the 1st N.Y. Mounted Rifles. They know the range of our carbines and that we can dismount & take the bush as well as the best of them if molested & so they never trouble us much...'' Sikes follows up in his next letter, ''I think I wrote you that we lost one man on our last scout. We have since learned that he was robbed and murdered by guerrillas and have reason to believe the story true. All the men are exasperated at this cold blooded affair & anxious to hunt out the murderers but as yet no scout is ordered...''
Sikes describes one of the regiment's captains dying on a raid in his 27 December 1864 letter, ''...Force ''G'' and ''F'' of Rifles, ''G'' and ''M'' of 4th Mass. Cavalry, & nine companies darkey troops (foot) on rapid marching, fierce charging, and fighting from morning till night & night till morning again. Our esteemed Capt. Obertrieffer fell, instantly killed (a shot through the head) in a gallant charge at the head of ''G.'' Brave, quite to rashness, his very recklessness caused his death for ahead of the troop & actually making an individual [attack] upon the very rascal who shot him. Beside him, our only loss was one horse wounded and that not seriously. Four men of the 4th captured, but two recaptured & the other two at once paroled, while 50 or 60 prisoners with arms & horses &c. were brought to Point Lookout by our party. Our men at first fought only the Home Guard which was speedily reinforced by ''Richmond Grey Horse Cadets'' and day and night in front flank & rear the enemy were constantly hovering, causing sleepless vigilance on our part...''
In a funny letter dated 27 January 1865, Sikes describes hysterical southern women during one of their raids, in part, ''Thursday evening last we received orders to take 1 days ration in haversack and one feed for horse and be in readiness to march at 3 next morning. Precisely at 3 we left camp having partaken of a cup of hot coffee and slice of bread. Passing the picket line about 4 o'clock, I was put in charge of the advance guard with instructions to take the Richmond road. Traveling was very rough and road full of ruts and ice. Nothing of importance occurred until some 25 miles out & about 8 o'clock in the morning when my extreme advance sighted the rebel gray about a mile ahead. Away we dashed as rapidly as the roads would permit & down we came with a rush upon three completely surprised rebs, two of whom had barely time to enter a house by the road side & take to cover under the need from which retreat they were quickly induced to surrender at a glance down the tube of our ever ready Colts persuaders. Then such a hue and cry, a beating of hands & tearing of hair as was set up by some quarter dozen females at thought, I suppose, of the brutal treatment their ''dear brave'' boys would receive at the hands of the ''Yankees'' was sickening to hear. And tired of listening to the noise, I very respectfully advised the chief performer to cease her cries & gesticulations as the former might injure her health & the latter frighten our horses.''
In one of his last letters, Sikes tells of a frightening ambush on their camp. Dated 12 February 1865, letter reads in part, ''...We had quite a scare here yesterday morning. A force of about 30 rebs dashed inside the pickets as far as the cavalry reserve killing & wounding 5 or 6 men, killing one horse (Mounted Rifles) and capturing two (one an M. R.). Loss to my troop only in horses. It was a complete surprise. One of our men by name [Thomas] Luckey, a Poughkeepsie boy, only saved his life playing possum. His horse was killed under him & he had three shots fired at him, one passing through his pants, of the rebs rolled him over, took off his belt & left him for dead. We must have hurt them but cannot say how much. Luckey, while playing possum, heard one reb tell another to ''hang onto the saddle'' as if he was wounded. Had not the whole of the infantry -- 16th New York Heavy Artillery -- all run like so many sheep, we might have told a different story. The whole cavalry reserve only numbered 8 men & these kept the rebs from getting into town...''
Other content in the letters includes interesting details that Sikes shares about his uncle, Rear Admiral Henry Knox Thatcher, including him sitting on the jury for the court martial for Commodore Charles Wilkes, who was found guilty of disobedience of orders, insubordination, disrespect of a superior officer, disobedience of naval regulations, and conduct unbecoming an officer. Thatcher also helped his young nephew secure a commission in a Colored Infantry regiment, which Sikes declined, writing, ''I am very sorry that the matter turned out as it did and I am confident that Uncle Henry will feel much hurt though I trust will not blame me for the course I have taken. I could not do otherwise for many reasons. You know I cannot stand severe marching and that my military education would not warrant my accepting a position of any but cavalry, nor does my taste incline to that mode of destroying shoe leather. After all, his late highness, Gen'l. Butler, could have given me no position but in Colored Troops though he might have granted one in my own branch of the service. I would much prefer a position on white cavalry and now that the matter has gone as far as it has, I hope some way may be devised to procure the shoulder straps for some New York cavalry regiment.''
He continues, ''You know I never said much to anyone about promotion until Uncle Henry took the matter in hand. I was decently well contented with my lot though I have long had the assurance to think myself competent to hold a line officer's position in cavalry. But now my old contentment has vanished having been promised a commission (and most everybody knowing it). I had not the slightest doubt but it would be such as one as it ought to be, such as one as I, Henry Knox, ought to have (don't be shocked at my lack of modesty. I'm proud of my name & blood if I haven't much to back it) and I am provoked out of all sorts at this miserable black, gravel-scratching termination of all my expectation. Had not Uncle Henry first raised this ambition within me, I would not have moved a straw to have influenced my promotion. But now I'd go through fire & water, mud holes &c. to obtain one. It is all useless to talk of merit in these days of political influence. Why merit is at a discount. Our company bugler (who knows not one movement of drill) has a commission from Gov. Seymour. A private in G has lately received one in the 2nd New York Cavalry also from Gov. Seymour and even our regimental shoemaker has one too. Influence -- nothing more -- has procured these.''
With much more excellent content showcasing Sikes' charismatic personality, such as him being chosen as one of the more intelligent men to lead a census of the black population in York County, South Carolina; his thoughts on the draft (''Let all men be drafted alike, the rich, the poor''); the tragic death of his sister's baby; his growth as a man during his service; the engagement to his fiance Maggie, and his marriage to her during a furlough.
An outstanding archive of letters from an extra-ordinary soldier. Nearly all letters accompanied by original envelopes. Near fine condition. With complete transcription totaling over 100 pages.