LOT #47088 |
Sold on Apr 5, 2024 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Civil War Soldier's Letter Group by Albert Coe of the 51st Illinois Infantry Regiment with Content on Stones River and Kennesa...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Apr 5, 2024 for:
$1,750.00
Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
Civil War Soldier's Letter Group by Albert Coe of the 51st Illinois Infantry Regiment with Content on Stones River and Kennesaw Mountain. Ten letters, averaging four pages in length each, and most measuring 5 x 8 inches. The letters span the years of his service beginning with the regiments mustering in December 1861 and the final letter dated January 24, 1865 after their participation in Sherman's march through Georgia. All but one of the letters are written to his brother Henry and are filled with news of the war, providing good details on the outcomes of some of the battles they participated in.Coe's first letter is dated December 7, 1861. He writes on 51st Regiment letterhead sharing news that he has accepted a commission to 2nd Lieutenant and will be in charge of the commissary. He states that they have only raised 50 men and that only one of the regiments has been filled. A second letter dated February 6, 1862 describes life at Camp Douglas and notes that they have already lost five men to the measles.
There is a gap in the correspondence and the very next letter is written two weeks after the Battle of Stones River. Coe writes from Nashville on January 17, 1863: "... The last Battle in this section has been a severe one and some think that before many days another will be fought on nearly the same grounds. If the enemy attack us the will find old Rosey [William Rosecrans] ready for them... The 51st Ills were in the right wing under McCook and fought well loosing about 75 men with only one comp. officer killed & three wounded, two Capts. & one Major, none of them seriously. Col. Cumming having resigned Lt. Col [Luther P.] Bradley was made Col & commanded the Regt. until Col Roberts who comd the Briggade was killed which was on Wednesday morning when the right wing was being drawn back. Col Bradley then took comd of the Brig and I am told done well... Genl Morgan now comds A division which consists of his old Brig & Col McCook's Brig numbering in all nine Regt, two Batteries & two detachments of Cavalry which adds to my duties..." The Battle of Stones River was noted for its high casualty rate. The 51st Illinois fought well for which Bradley (who suffered wounds in the fighting) can be credited.
The following month on February 13, 1863, Coe sends news of General James D. Morgan's pursuit of Rebel troops: "... Immediately after the late skirmish at Ft Donaldson [sic] Genl Morgan left the city with three Regt of Cavalry the force to e largely added to at Franklin from Genl Davis command and combined force to cut off the retreat of the Rebels, but the Rebels were expecting them and scattered in all directions the expedition capturing only one hundred men & five commission officers..." There are three additional letters written from Tennessee all with news of Union advancement.
The 51st Illinois later participates in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, and the last three letters in the group are written from different locations in Georgia. The most notable letter is dated July 6, 1864 and tells of the continuous fighting, with particular attention given to the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain: "... We are now only one or two miles from the Chattahoochie River, the bridge can be seen from a tree top near our Hd Qrs. We can also plainly see the doomed city of Atlanta... We expect the Rebels will dispute tour crossing the River, but them we are going over though it may take several days. There has been fighting every day for a long time and from the papers we receive it might appear that Hookers Corps was doing it all which is by no means the case. In a charge that was made last week tis Div lost over 800 killed & wounded though Gen; Morgans Brig was held in reserve that day loosing only a few. The 51st Ills now in the 4th Corps, has been dreadfully cut up in this campaign. When they left Cleveland, Tenn they only had 190 present for duty, and of that number they have lost over 100 killed & wounded, three comp officers killed & four wounded. They were in that unsuccessful charge of 27th July [June] when their loss out of 130 was 48 with a large proportion killed. A[?] Hall fell with 20 paces of the enemies works pierced with 15 balls, he was at the time leading the Regt. the Capt in comd. Having been wounded. Col Bradley is now in comd of the Brig as Genl [Charles G.] Harker was killed. This is the 66th day if this campaign and although the men are very much worn down with this constant fatigue of marching skirmishing & fighting yet they are in good spirits..."
Coe's last letter is written from Savannah, Georgia on January 24, 1865 to his sister, as brother Henry had rejoined the army. Of note in this letter is his mention that they are about to set out on another campaign, that being the Carolinas Campaign, the final campaign of the Union Army in the Western Theater and the unconditional surrender of Joseph E. Johnston's army at Bentonville.
Most of the letters are accompanied by their original transmittal cover. Coe's handwriting is neat and legible; and his narrative provides a good account of the service of the regiment.
Condition: All letters have flattened folds and are lightly toned. A few have tiny separations at the folds at the margins. The January 24, 1865 letter has light soiling along the folds of the fourth page, and one ink smear affecting a single word.
Auction Info
2024 April 5 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6285 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2024
5th
Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 195
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $1,000,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $5,000,000 per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms