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Your Price: $ 295.00
Item Number: 5704 |
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This group of five soldier’s letters consists of 4 letters by Sgt. then Lt. Wim. Dubois, a veteran of Co. D 1st U. S. Dragoons now serving in the 18th New York Cavalry, to Friend Solomon O’Rielly (needs research but clearly had some connection to the old Co. D, 1st Dragoons) and one letter on Christian Commission Stationary comes from Sgt. Wm. Shackelford to Solomon O’Rielly. Also a veteran of Co. D 1st Dragoons, Shackelford in now a member of the 18th N. Y. Cavalry but has been hospitalized at Jefferson Barracks by virtue of a gunshot wound for nearly a year. Best described by our photos and a brief synopsis of each, below, the letters are penned in ink and are relatively easy read. All remain in decent condition save one that though complete is torn in half. Dubois’s letters offer a sprinkling of the usual between friends but offers an interesting insight into Cavalryman life in Texas among the deeply pro Confederate population. Other friends of D Co. and the 18th Cavalry are mentioned with salutations passed along. Sgt. George Rork (old Rork) of the 1st Dragoons then 18th Cavalry is mentioned along with the shooting of the 18th’s Capt. Nowlan (Henry James Nowlan) by a local desperado. (Lt. Dubois seems quite contrary to life in Texas except for the abundance of plenty of Mexican girls.) Sgt. Shackelford’s letter on Christian Commission stationary from Jefferson Barrack’s Hospital may be a favorite of this group as it is penned in light blue ink in a pleasing hand and is devoted almost entirely to a lament of the recent loss of President Abraham Lincoln
#1 January 18, 1865 - La Fourche, La. : Sgt. Wim. Dubois to "Friend Sol" (Solomon O’Rielly needs research) : Has been out on scout for the last two weeks and just returned to this place. Reports on the wellbeing of mutual friend Wim. Shackelford who is not doing well laying in hospital so long (We learn in another of these letters that their friend had been shot). Dubois encourages Sol to write their ailing friend Sergt. William Shackelford at Ward C Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Advises that old Rork is well and wishes to be remembered. ( Geo. Rork Co. G 18th N.Y. Cavalry, like Dubois and Shackelford, had prior service in D Co. 1st U. S. Dragoons) It is clear that Solomon O’Rielly was a veteran of D Co. as well as Dubois inquires of him if he had heard anything from the old Co. (additional general interest content)
#2 March 4,1865 – Kennerville, La.: Lt. Wim. Dubois to "Friend Sol" (Solomon O’Rielly needs research) : Advises "Sol" he has received a commission to 2nd Lt. mentions mutual friend George Rock again and advises that he has made Sargent. Received a letter from Shackelford and advises that "it has been eleven months today since he was shot". "That is a good while to lay in a hospital" says Dubois. He expresses doubt as to the optimism of his friend that "the war is almost over". "There will be a good deal of hard fighting yet" exclaims Dubois penning his opinion that the "Rebs will have to be well whipped". He advises of a buildup of Union troops in the area and rumors of an impending "expedition". He expects that "Mobile is the place".
#3 April 24, 1865 – Jefferson Barracks Hospital, Missouri (on U. S. Christian Commission stationary) : Sgt. Wim. Shackelford to Solomon O’Rielly : The long hospitalized Sgt. Shackelford expresses distress at the death of Abraham Lincoln "all the world will mourn him" writes Shackelford. "We all looked to him as a father; a heavy blow to our country exclaims. The obviously distraught wounded Cavalryman expresses his pleasure at the letter he has received from his friend Solomon yet devoted the majority of his letter mourning the loss of the President. He does mention Dubois and pleasure at receiving a letter from Sgt. Geo. Rock. Sgt. Shackelford closes with assurance that my wound is about healed up.
#4 Aug. 24, 1865 - San Antonio, Texas : Lt. Wim. Dubois to ‘Friend Sol’ (Solomon O’Rielly needs research) : Has been on the move and now has been in San Antonio about ten days; We came from New Orleans, La. to this place by land and a long march it has been. Lt. Dubois reports that There are a good many troops in this state and at present, what they are going to do with us is more than I can say. He advises that the talk is that we are going to Mexico to fight the French. Seems to like the place in general though all are eager for discharge. Plenty of Mexican girls here says he. As always remembers mutual friends Rock and Shackelford.
#5 April 1, 1866 San Antonio Springs, Texas : Lt. Wim. Dubois to ‘Friend Sol’ (Solomon O’Rielly needs research) The Lieutenant’s opinion of Texas seems to have waned somewhat since his arrival in August of 1865. Still laying in this old camp doing nothing of any impotence. Dull says he though they did have some excitement recently when Capt. Nowlan of the 18th NY Cavalry was shot by a local desperado. The people in this state with few exceptions are as much rebels now as they ever was. For my part I would rather fight them than to try and live in peace and hear them curse the Yankees every day. The very worst Rebels here get the best deals. Lt. Dubois writes of a corral master in the place that is paid $100.00 a month who was Captain of a band of gorillas. The man boasts of the number of Yankees that he and his band murdered. Dubois writes of a dispute with the man over retrieval of horses from x-gorilla Captain’s corral. I hit him over the head with a six-shooter and fetched him to his knees. The fallen Reb soon threatened that he would shoot our Lt. Dubois next time he saw him but the Lieutenant advises that there is little danger. Buy with confidence! We are pleased to offer a no questions asked three day inspection with return as purchased on direct sales! Just send us a courtesy e-mail to let us know your item will be returned per these provisions and your purchase price will be refunded accordingly. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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