Beschreibung:

A collection of 15 Civil War letters, 8 on patriotic stationary, including: A letter from 16 year-old Capt. William H. Broughton of the 16th ME Inf., written from Fort Tillinghast in VA on "We are coming Father Abraham" stationary. Capt William H. Broughton (1846-1882) was a 16 year-old boy from Portland, ME who enlisted on October 14, 1862 as a private. Military life suited him, because in a span of two years he quickly rose to the position of Capt. Broughton and his men fought valiantly in many engagements. At Fredericksburg 226 out of the 450 men either died, were wounded, or went missing. At Gettysburg their regiment lost almost all of their men. At the end of the three days of harsh fighting only 2 officers and 15 men remained. Broughton miraculously survived both crippling battles, but on October 13th, 1864 he was captured and listed as a POW at Weldon Railroad, VA. He was later paroled and returned to battle, and on November 9, 1864 he was promoted to capt. He and his men continued to fight at Chancellorsville, the Battle at Spottsylvania Court House, and Petersburg. He survived the war and returned to life in Maine. He died on January 27, 1882. An ALS from John C. Massey, possibly a member of the 5th MI Inf. Co. G. Massey writes from camp near the field at Petersburg on April 1, 1865, two days before the city fell and the 5th MI planted its colors on the Confederate Breast work: There is a strange something that seems to take possession of the mind and feelings of a mans who is worthy of the name of soldier, in the hour of battle. It is very natural for a man who believes in Religion, and professes it publickly [sic], to examine his heart carefully, in the light of God's truth as he sees the preparations for a charge, progressing rapidly...But while engaged with these thoughts the lines are formed, the Command is given, and as by magic, the mind is instantly brought to a full comprehension of its position, the charging lines are in motion. The gait is usually double-quick, and as the lines advance to the terrible encounter, at every step exposed to mussles(?) of every description, and the roar of cannon and musketry the whistling bullet and the screaming, all conspire to make up the most horrid concert the imagination can conceive. But I cannot describe the scene, even at this stage of the conflict, nor will I take you to the place selected by the surgeon, for a temporary Hospital to view the sickening sight there persented. imagination cannot produce a picture so horrid in its details, as such a place, after a sharp fight...President Lincoln has spent the week in our army, and he has seen some hard fighting. I sincerely hope he has witnessed the last struggles of the expiring Confederacy... Research indicates that John C. Massey indirectly referenced in the letter could be 27 year-old John C. Massey of the 5th MI Inf. Co. G., however, there is some discrepancy in his service record. Civilwardata.com lists Massey as being discharged on November 11, 1861 and has no record of him returning. An ALS dated December 11, 1861 from Private Orlando B. Heath 3rd VT Inf. Co. E on Union & Liberty stationary. A November 12, 1861 letter from Camp Cashio(?) written by A Guptill, possibly Private Albert Guptill of the 4th MN Inf. Co. D, on Liberty & Union embossed stationary. An ALS on patriotic stationary of a sailor, the NY state seal, and a flag inscribed For the Union, written on December 27, 1861 by Henry Steel while at Fort Ellsworth. A letter written by James W. Hopper 5th NH Co. H from Fairfax written to his uncle on December 24, 1861 on stationary with lady liberty holding a flag and drawing her sword. He informs his uncle of the deaths of many men in his regiment and the capturing of three rebels while he was on Picket guard. An ALS from John Hodges to Martha, he writes from Fortress Monroe on True to the Union stationary on October 25, 1861. 2 ALsS by Stephen Johnson to his niece and nephew dated July 1862 and March 1863. 2