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Sale 85: The Westpex Sale

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United States Civil War

Lots 1927-1928

Lot 1927    

"Camp Near White Oack Church, May 8th 1863", dateline on letter from soldier Sgt. S. Durman to his brother with excellent military content "…we are well at presant…some hard marchings to doo since I wrote last…on Saturday morning our force was with drawn from that part and marched to United States fort where Hooker with the 3d = 5th = 77th = 12th = part of Second Corps was fighting leeving the 6th Corps below Fredericks burgh are reached US forces again dark & cross the wrappahannock river, to the Battlefield we got orders to lay in reserve to be redy to go to the front in minutes warning. Sunday about 10 clock we were ordered to the front but when neerly on the line of battle we ware orderd to the rear…we were all expecting to have the front as usual but we are all satisfied there was hard fighting & great slaughter on both sides the like which never fought before…rebell Long Street with 4 thousand atacted the 6th Corps under command of feneral Slocum who had gand the hights above Fredericksburgh & drove him up the river till Banks ford he was compeld to with draw his troops to the north Bank of the river or be sarounded the next morning we was orderd to cross the river to protect the left flank where we ramand till the retreat was orderd then we coverd the retreat till the 5th it comenced raining on the 4th very hard…we dug a ditch on the uper side but it over flowd…we fired about one hundred & fifty rounds while the tale end of the army was crossing & taking up the bridges on the advance of the Enemy we may try it in a day or two below but …that we will be unsuccessful old Abe Staunton & Hallack is out here they came here yesterday a great many of our troops is demoralized I think that we need a new leeder in place of Hallack if he cant moove the army to better advantage Hooker is not to blame for this there is a rough of troops to whip the rebel army iff they was mange right the way they have been doing is send in a squd and get it slaughterd them fall back this is neerly plade out with the soldiers we want a fore ward movement of all the army then we will gain victories in place of defeets at all points…Sargt S Durman"; accompanied by original envelope mailed from Washington D.C. with stamp removed, Fine letter with great war content.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

This letter is sent shortly after the defeat of the Federal Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville Va. On May 6th 1863, General Joseph Hooker made a public statement of congratulation to the army: "The men are to be commended on the achievements of the past seven-days". President Lincoln and General Halleck visit Hooker to confer with him on military strategy.


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Realized: $140

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Lot 1928    

Washington D.C., Aug 20, 1863, sharp strike of cds and pencil "Due 8" rating on buff cover addressed to Major General Hitchcock, Washington D.C., endorsed "Exchange of Prisoners" at bottom left; no back flap, Very Fine and unusual use.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Major General Ethan Allen Hitchcock, grandson of Ethan Allen, served as Commissioner for Prisoners of War from 1862 to the end of the Civil War.

Realized: $140

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Lots 1927-1928

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