Beschreibung:

Lot of 37 letters from Massachusetts regiments, including 1st, 5th, 6th, 10th, 12th, 16th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 27th, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 42nd and 45th Infantries and 9th Light Artillery and 2nd Heavy Artillery. Capt. William B. Alexander, Co. E, 23rd MA Vol. Infy. Two letters from Alexander's wife, Mary, to her husband. The first dated Feb. 19, 1862 is an emotional letter not knowing if her husband is dead or alive after the Battle of Roanoke Island (Feb. 8); second Oct. 30, 1862, mostly personal. John M. Bass, Co. C, 1st MA VI, Fort Scott, VA, Nov. 30, 1862. Typical "lonely soldier" letter. David Brett, 9th MA Light Arty. Centerville, May 24, 1863. Complains that the 9-month recruits are discharged before they are fully trained. Col. Charles Russell Codman, 45th MA VI. Three letters to wife, Newbern [NC], Dec. 6, 1862; Kingston, NC, 12 Dec. 1862 (quick note to let her know he is alive after battle); Newbern, 1 Mar. 1863, African Americans armed, court martial of Gen. Stevenson for refusing to fight with African Americans. Charles W. Dodge, Co. A, 5th MA VI, Camp Massachusetts, Alexandria, VA, July 15, [1861]. Activities in camp before first Battle of Bull Run/Manassas. Lucien B. Fifield, 16th MA VI. Camp Hamilton, Sept. 25, 1861. Camp life and army politics. William E. Foster, Co. G, 12th MA VI, Three letters: Camp near Stafford Court House, Nov. 22nd, 1862 - much dry wit: "If I can get hard tack enough it is all I ask, but as soon as they begin to haul off on that there will be a row in camp." Two from Camp near Belle Plain, VA. Jan. 25, 1863, describing his experience on the "Mud March" (Jan. 20-24), after describing building corduroy roads over the mud in the preceding letter. And Mar. 21, 1863 with comments on men shooting off their fingers "accidentally" to get discharged - at least a dozen in his regiment, 20 or more in the 16th Maine. James A. Fuller, Co. G, 35th MA VI, In camp one mile from Fredericksburg, VA, Dec. 19, 1862. Muddy marching from Fairfax to Fredericksburg (a month before the "Mud March") and the failed first attempt to take Fredericksburg. Josiah Fuller, Co. C, 32nd MA VI, three letters from a highly educated Union officer (promotions to Col., brevets Col. and Brig. Gen). Camp near Falmouth, VA, Mar. 15, 1863 - partial letter to wife. Head Quarters Artillery Reserve A.P. near Falmouth, VA, May 29, 1863. Chancellorsville, court martial process. Camp of the 32nd Mass. Vols. (n.d. probably ca. June 12, 1864, based mostly on dates his friends wounded as mentioned in letter) - Cold Harbor aftermath. Chauncey Holcomb, Co. F, 27th MA VI, Hd Qtrs Reropelle(?) Ranger, Hatteras Inlet, NC, Jan. 13 [1862]: ocean journey from Fort Monroe to Hatteras. William Howes, Co. F, 33rd MA VI, Atlanta, GA, Sept 19, 1864. Fraternization of Union and Confederate soldiers during an armistice, especially, one guy in 61st Ohio who ran into a neighbor who had enlisted in CSA. This unit left by way of western Virginia. George O. Jewett, Co. H, 1st MA VI, Camp Banks, Georgetown, DC, July 6, [18]61. Camp antics including a "war dance" around a bonfire. William L. Ober, Co. D, 19th MA VI. Drummer. Aug. 24, 1864. Describes being nearly killed by a shell the previous day, but not really in any danger. The regiment had not lost any drummers. Frank C. Park Co. C, 10th MA VI. Three letters/writings, very literate, engaging his readers. The first a kind of 3rd person autobiography (n.p., n.d.), "Musings of a Soldier" describing his journey from wild youth to patriotic soldier. Describes lands and forts around Washington and landmarks in the city. Camp Winfield Scott before Yorktown, VA, May 2, 1862 - preparation for battle of Yorktown, local scenery. Camp near Yorktown, Aug. 27, 1862 - 13 1/2 pages - long march, journey on steamer, joy of getting a bath. Richard M. Whitney, Co. G, 21st MA VI. After serving three years, he became an Army forage master. Letter Near Petersburg, Mar. 5, 1865, outlines the job and pay as forage mas