Beschreibung:

Lot of 12. 4pp, 4.75 x 7.75 in. Camp Cameron, Jan. 22, /62. "Have lost two since I wrote last one Henry Ryding belonging to Co. C, the other belonged to the second Co. of Artil[l]ery men his name was Edward Hood. a number of others are not expected to live. I suppose you have heard about the fight in Kentucky...." The last page gives a list of those who have died: Alfred Bodine, Co. D (DOD 12/61); Henry Bodine, Co. C (DOD 1/62); Ira Clements, Co. F (DOD, 11/61?); Arthur Foster (DOD 12/61); and Orrin Wilson (DOD 12/61). The only Edward Hood we found who did not survive was in the 8th NY Light Artillery (DOD 1/62). 4pp. (5 x 8 in.), Camp Marsh, July 28 (1861). From C.K. [Casper K.] Abell, Capt. 72nd NYVI, part of the "Excelsior Brigade," (70, 72, 73, & 74th NY + 3rd IN Cav.) recruited mostly from New York City and Chautauqua County. The 72nd New York Vols. left Staten Island on July 24 for Washington. Abell gives the journey to his addressee (to South Amboy, then trains to Philadelphia, Havre de Grace & Baltimore, to Washington). They went into camp "within five miles of the ennimes line of guards" and he "expect[s] to have a chance to see them every day. They had a little skirmish yesterday morning with some scouts and I could hear the fireing plain but it did not last long & how it turned out I do not know. there is a number of Regt. Camped with in twenty or thirty rods of us who were in the Battle at Bulls Run an there is a great many of them that are now laying wounded & it is a hard sight I can tell you. I should like to give you an act. of it but I have not time only that our men got cut up badly...there is probly about a Hundred Thousand troops now here and I donot know but more & coming every day. We are about half a mile from the capital Buildings and have a splendid view of the City &c." He goes on to tell him that they need to remain alert, as the rebels are "...in the habit of shooting the sentinels there has been four shot within the last two weeks right where we are camped and yesterday there was two shot at but they missed them." He goes on to request stamps, and the usual messages about who has written to whom. Group of 6 letters, four with covers, addressed to Miss Sarah Stilson. We were only able to locate one signature in all of these pages: "o.w. west." Oliver W. West was a resident of Dansville, NY. He enlisted in July 1862 in the 130th NY Vol. Infy. This unit became the 19th Cavalry, then the 1st NY Dragoons. Camp 130 NYV near Suffolk, Va., Oct. 29, 1862: "But about my being sick. I was on duty 24 hours from 2 PM Tuesday 14th to 2 PM 15th. And by night the 15th (2 weeks ago tonight) I was prostrated with a severe sick headache... Besides I had caught a cold - being up all night and out doors a good deal Tuesday night..." Dismal Swamp, Va. November 2nd, 1862. Three separate sheets, the first 4pp 8 x 10 in., one numbered "3" - 2pp 5 x 8 in., and one numbered "4" - 2pp. 5 x 8 in. He has a long explanation of ranks and shifts (three captains resigned). Later (Fri. Nov. 7): "O shivering Camp! O shivering soldiers! O roaming fires! O snows, and wind, and sleet and slush! ...put it down in your diary, I say, that the 7th of November 1862 beheld the first snowstorm in Suffolk, Va.... It is pretty hard work to build a fire our doors now and get breakfast by it - which little culinary feat our black cook Andy is executing, and sends word in by our little waiter Lewis that it is "'mos' ready." Sweet potatoes, roasted in our fireplace, tea, toasted bread, butter... beef or pork, hoecake! (a good deal the same as "Johnny cake")..." Camp Suffolk, Va., Nov. 20, 1862: "...I am on "detached service doing duty in Heavy Artillery. When ... I get my log house done (about 16 by 21) just give me a call. I will show you my library of military works of which I shall have quite an accumulation on Light Artillery, on Heavy Artillery, Casey's Infantry Tactics, Halleck's Elements of Military Art and Science, Science of Gunnery of Proj