LOT #52170 |
Sold on Dec 8, 2012 for: Not Sold
John W. Anthony Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
John W. Anthony Autograph Letter Signed "J W Anthony." Three integral pages, 8" x 9.75", Richmond, May 5, 1861, to his sister, Callie, during the first month of the war. Nineteen year old Anthony is writing to tell her a bit about life in camp, optimistically calling it "...one of the most happy lives a man could spend if he just could see the dear ones at home sometimes..." Upon his arrival in Richmond with the 11th Virginia Infantry, their "...Cap knew nothing about what we had to do so he marched up to the Capitol square...he had the roll called...and sent us to an old Hotel where we stayed three dayes [sic] the worst hole you ever saw...now we are in the new Fair-grounds..." They finally began drills, but "...We have not gotten any guns as yet and don't know when pretty soon tho [sic] I guess. We go to bed at 9 o'clock and up at 4 and drill at 5 eat at six and so on throughout the day..." For food they eat "...much fried meat and bread..." and the bread is "...so hard six mules could not pull it apart." Apparently camp life suits him as he asks Callie to "...tell ma that I weigh at this time 220 a gain of 20 pounds I can't account for it unless eating so much meat..."Desertions had already begun by this point as "...One of our men run off. I guess he is at home by this you know him very well. Gill the boy who stayed with Capt Porter I think he ought to be taken up. he pretended to be sick for two days and he sliped [sic] off before day the morning we left Richmond."
Usual folds; some staining along the lower edge and main vertical fold.
John W. Anthony (1841-1920) was wounded several times during the course of the war (one wound taken at Seven Pines) and at one point left the service after supplying a substitute in 1863. He apparently re-enlisted and served time in the 2nd Virginia Cavalry where he was again wounded and hospitalized in Petersburg following the surrender of Lee.
Auction Info
2012 December 8 Civil War & Militaria Auction #6083 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2012
8th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 636
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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