1862 Union Soldier’s Letter – Henry Lamoreaux, 103rd New York Infantry

Description: 1862 Union Soldier’s Letter – Henry Lamoreaux, 103rd New York Infantry Offered for your consideration is a Union soldier’s letter, penned in 1862, from a private on duty in North Carolina. Headlined “Camp Burnside N. C.” and dated “Friday April 11th 62”, the author of this letter tells his “Brother a Sister” that “I have once more got my ink scratcher to let you know how I am and to kill time and more than that I want to hear from you for I know that one or the other of you will answer hastily. I am sitting on my blanket and writing on the top of a cheese box cover … I am well and have been every since we have been here and hope that I shall be for if that’s my helth gone I shall kick the bucket … There is a great many sick here the hospital is full some of our company is there, we have lost 3 or 4 and I think there is more that will go soon”. He continues in the same vain by stating that “I saw Ebinezer Jones this morning he is in the 51 NY Regt he has a brother here that is not expected to live. They buried one poor fellow this morning and are carrying them out most every day. I think if a body can stand soldiering and the climate they are tough …”. He then notes that “… We are under marching orders and think we shall pull up stakes tomorrow and leave here I am sorry for we just begun to get something to eat …”, after which he describes a meal he and a buddy (Isaac) attended with friends in another regiment, “… we had a very good meal had hoe cakes beans warm flap jacks & molasses tea & sugar …”, apparently prepared by freed slaves (a derogatory term is used in the text). He then describes other escapades with his friend Isaac, stating that “… we have kept in sugar we had to help unload the slog there was a barl (barrel) of sugar open so we filled our pockets the Artilery men broke open a box of champaign bottles he told to help our selves. Isaac took 3 I took 2 we drank up 1 we sold the 4 for $10 … we had a keg of beer the officer told us to help ourselves he would watch for us while we took it I rolled it under the train & round a corner & drove the head in and we drank it & kicked it empty in the street”. He concludes this letter with a description of the area in which he is stationed, stating that “There is nothing but havock here you cant imagine what a country this is there is no public roads just a track from one plantation to another the land is sandy & nothing but sand. We don’t hardly ever see a man dressed in citizens clothes every thing is military & war …”. He lists his return address as “H Lamoreaux / Newbern NC / Com I, 103 Regt N. Y. S. Vol”. A newsy little letter, filled with the thoughts and opinions of a common Union soldier. Interesting about the episodes regarding the sugar and champagne. Worthy of further research. Henry Lamoreaux is listed as being 22 years of age when he enlisted on February 12, 1862 at Hector, New York. He was mustered in as a private in Company “I” of the 103rd New York Volunteer Infantry the following day. He was mustered out on March 17, 1865 in New York, New York as a sergeant, having been promoted on October 15, 1864. The presently offered letter exhibits signs of expected period use, followed by many years of reasonably good storage. Light toning is noted across the entire surface, imparting an off-white hue to the paper. This toning is somewhat more pronounced at the edges and along the postal folds. Several stains can be seen, none of which are particularly dark or large enough to seriously impact the overall eye-appeal of the piece. Several of the aforementioned folds have adversely affected the integrity of the paper, with small holes being seen at the junctions when the piece is held to the light. The contrast is average, as is the penmanship of the author. Executed in period ink on blue-lined white paper, this piece measures approximately 5 x 7⅞ inches when folded and 7⅞ x 10⅛ inches when laid flat. Any additional questions regarding condition should be addressed before purchasing. A $5.95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance. A $5.00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location. If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing. Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2nd Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows. American Coins and CollectiblesShreveport, LA

Price: 219 USD

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana

End Time: 2023-10-25T19:20:50.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.95 USD