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Civil War Soldier's Archive Pertaining to Seth Alonzo Ranlett of the 36th Massachusetts Volunteers. . ... (Total: 2 )
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Description
Civil War Soldier's Archive Pertaining to Seth Alonzo Ranlett of the 36th Massachusetts Volunteers.Includes ten war-dated letters by Ranlett, his 1858 journal, a post-war manuscript on the topic of war, three war-dated letters to him from his family, two war-dated letters from fellow officers, two post-war dated letters from Ranlett to his mother, and an enlarged re-print of a Civil War period image of Ranlett circa 1890s. The photograph is framed to an overall size of 17.5" by 12.5".
Ranlett mustered into Company B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry as a 1st sergeant on August 27, 1862. He served for almost two years until being discharged for disability on February 20, 1864. Over the course of this time, the 36th Massachusetts was involved in both the Eastern and Western Theaters of the war, playing a significant role in several key campaigns and battles including Antietam, Fredericksburg, and the Siege of Vicksburg.
Ranlett's ten letters home are dated January 2, 1863 (misdated 1862) to October 9, 1863. All but one are written to his father from various locations in Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Most notable in the group are three letters related to the Vicksburg Campaign. Writing on June 19, Ranlett describes their passage along the Yazoo River to get into position: "Nothing of any account occurred in our regiment to mar the pleasure of the trip and though we had to run the gauntlet of guerillas & received a heavy volley from them, we had no casualties. The boat behind us though was not so fortunate - It contained the 17th Michigan regt of our Brigade. They had 1 man & 2 horses killed. We had a gunboat with us that soon got into position & opened on the rebs & they skedaddled. This occurred just about Columbia, on the Arkansas shore. The bombardment of Vicksburg continues and it is expected to fall soon... They have offered to surrender if we will allow 3 men that are there to pass out, but Gen'l Grant having a sure thing, will accept no conditions. It is rumored that the Arch Traitor Jeff Davis himself is there..."
Writing on July 2, he describes the mining operations at Vicksburg and relays the anecdote of the contraband named Tom that was blown across enemy lines to freedom: "We have one hundred men out on picket every day and are awaiting the approach of Johnston if he intends to try to raise the siege of Vicksburg. That event progresses daily, and our men are digging the rebels out of their forts. We are mining & blowing them up. - Yesterday afternoon we blew up a fort, and threw 2 rebels and a negro into our lines. They fell some distance, but were not much hurt. Only rather surprised at this method of taking prisoners. The cannonading today is heavier that it has ben for a week. Last night during the fight for the possession of the fort that was blown up, we met with some loss, but tool the fort..." He continues his letter sending news that "Hooker is hunting for Lee near Pennsylvania," mistakenly surmising that Lee would be on his way to Vicksburg. His last letter from Mississippi gives an account of the poor health of his regiment.
Over the course of his next four letters (all written from Kentucky during the months of August and September), Ranlett tells his father of the regiment's attempts to recuperate from the hardships of Vicksburg and the poor climate. His September 7 letter informs that he expects to leave for Knoxville, Tennessee.
Ranlett's final letter from the war is to his brother Charles. On October 9, 1863 he writes from "Near Bull's Gap - E. Tennessee." He gives a brief overview of his summer and the losses they have suffered: "...Our campaign in the Southwest cost us a third of our regiment in killed, died of disease, & incapacitated for duty by sickness. - Not content with the services we rendered at Vicksburg & elsewhere in Miss. & before we have recovered from the sickness & weakness produced in Corps by that dreadful Yazoo climate, we are sent down from Kentucky... in this wild, mountainous region for a Fall Campaign. And we are a little band of 200 of the old 36th that one year ago mustered 1000 men... There has been the most desperate fighting at Chattanooga, which is now in our possession..." The letter is incomplete, but fills four pages of two bifolia, so it is likely he was interrupted by further orders to march. The 36th Massachusetts would be soon taking part in the Knoxville Campaign to defend against General James Longstreet's attempt to seize the city.
Condition: Light toning throughout. Overall, very clean and sound.
Auction Info
2024 December 9 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6303 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2024
9th
Monday
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