The Greatest Civil War Illustrated Soldiers Letter from Antietam – R. F. Edwards of Company I 90th Pa. Infantry Writes Home Illustrating his Letter with 5 Drawings of the Confederate Dead!
This 3-page letter written in nice dark ink, not only has great battle content concerning America’s bloodiest one day battle, but also has 5 drawings of Confederate dead. Here are some of the great lines:
- Battle Field Near Sharpsburg Sep. 24th (1862). Dear Parents, Again I write to you. “Le mois de Septembre touche a sa fin.” The month of September touches its end. As Sue beautifully says in his “Juif Errant.” All things herald the coming decay. The cornfields are withered stalks.
- The distant breath of winter reaches us; involuntarily we are shivering here. The leaves show a faint change. The orchards groan under their heavy burden of ruddy apples. The heat of summer has departed. We are invigorated by the cooling winds that tell us of the North. All things tell of approaching winter.
- We are poorly prepared for the coming season. THE REGIMENT IS NEARLY BARE OF SHOES AND UNDERCLOTHING, TOTALLY DESTITUTE OF BLANKETS AND TENTS AND THE POOR FELLOWS HAVE LITTLE PROSPECT OF BETTERING THEIR CONDITION BEFORE THE COLD WEATHER IS UPON THEM IN ITS RIGORS.
- THE MEN ARE COVERED WITH VERMIN AND IN A MOST PITIABLE CONDITION. BUT OUR FLAG IS FULL OF BULLET HOLES.
- THE SMOKE OF BATTLE HAS SOILED ITS SNOW WHITE AND CRIMSON FOLDS, BUT LETTERS OF GOLD WILL ERE WE RETURN RECORD THE ACTIONS OF THOROFARE GAP, BULL RUN, EAST MOUNTAIN AND SHARPSBURG, THROUGH WHICH THE GALLANT OLD 90TH HAS PASSED TRIUMPHANTLY AND WON GOLDEN OPINIONS FROM ALL BY ITS SPARTAN COURAGE.
- I am proud of my Regt., the National Guard, both as the 19th and as the 90th. I wish that I had been in the Sharpsburg affair, for there will never in this war be another like it. Still I have seen all the horrors without positively been in the action.
- THE DEAD AND DYING. LONG LANES OF DEAD FALLEN WHERE THEY STOOD, MARKED THE REBEL LINES OF BATTLE. ALL POSITIONS, SOME KNEELING, OTHERS ON THEIR HANDS AND KNEES. SOME PEACEFULLY LYING THERE ON THAT BLOODY FIELD AS IF ON SOME ROSE STREWN COUCH.
- We still remain at this stupid place. No sign of the enemy. The daily thunder of cannon that for the past two weeks has been a familiar sound has ceased and all is quiet. We will move shortly. It is expected to Harper’s Ferry. I wish they would leave us there all winter, but time will show. There were two things I neglected to ask you to send in my last. One is very wicked, I know, but can’t help it, must ask.
1. Knife, spoon and fork – my other one was stolen long since.
2. Penknife
3. ! ! ! ! (Just a small -etc.) box of cigars. Please pay for all these things out of my money, if there is any left. And for mercy’s sake, do send me just a little change in a letter, but for goodness sake, don’t register it. I never can get it without a great deal of trouble when you do. It’s just as safe the other way (in small sums). I am still pretty busy. Everything goes on smoothly, and I am quite satisfied with my position. There is nothing more of interest to relate, so I will close. My love to Aunt and Lizzie and to the ladies. Regards to all inquiring. Write soon and direct as usual to Your Affectionate Son, R. F. Edwards
One of the most amazing letters we have seen for display.
#L9-24-62PA – Price $3,250
