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Poignant Group of Letters Informing Family Members of the Death and Circumstances Thereof of Private Charles R. Smith, Company... (Total: 6 )
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Description
Poignant Group of Letters Informing Family Members of the Death and Circumstances Thereof of Private Charles R. Smith, Company G, 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Killed by a Sharpshooter at Trevillian Station. Charles R. Smith enlisted as a private on March 6, 1864 and mustered into G Company of the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was killed in action on June 11, 1864 by a sharpshooter at Trevillian Station, Virginia. This very personal group includes: (1) 1/6th plate tintype of Smith posed with who is likely his sister Emma, cased with Smith's brass personal stencil mounted to the inside lid. A printed label on a small piece of paper found beneath the image bears the date January 18, 1862. The image is clear, sharp and in excellent condition. (2) An original poem entitled "Time" written by Private Smith on the recto and verso of a 5" x 8" sheet. The first line reads: "Time Like a long flowing stream makes haste into eternity...". (3) Three page letter, 5" x 8", on integral second leaf, to his sister, dated June 1, 1864 (ten days before his death), in which he writes of a wounded colleague, action with Rebel pickets - "...before we knew it they fired in to us but did not do us any injury except wounding the Captain...", and of capturing to two unarmed Rebels - "...but the Beggars had no arms so you can imagine that I had not much trouble in capturing them...". (4) Three page letter, 5" x 8" on integral second leaf, June 20th, 1864, West Point, Virginia, from Private Wellwood Gillespie, Company M, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry to Emma Smith (Charlie's sister) informing her of her brother's death. He writes, in part: "I regret much to inform you of the death of your beloved Brother Charlie. Charlie was killed on the 11th inst. At Trevillian Station on the Virginia Central Rail Road ten miles from Gordonsvill...I got to his body as soon as I could and took it a short distance under two beautiful oak trees where I had him buried. I covered him with canvass put up a head bord [sic] with his name cut on the bord [sic]...he was shot by a sharp shooter , the ball entered his body on the right side below the first rib, passed through and came out under his left arm. He never spoke, when I got to him. He looked to me as if he was a sleep...I had pretty hard work to get him buried as I was compelled to leave him twice on account of the Rebel Artillery pouring shot and shell into me I little thought that I would be compelled to under go such a trying scene...". (5) Eight page letter, 5" x 8", from Private Wellwood Gillespie, to Emma Smith, written from Slough Hospital, Alexandria, Virginia, July 16, 1864 in which Gillespie writes in greater detail the circumstances of Charlie's death and burial. In closing he writes, in part: "...My kind regards to your mother and I hope she will try and not let the sad news worry her more than she can help. It is hard for her I know but still how much better it is for her than a many a mother that's compelled to hear of the death of their son shot for deserting...Emma try and forget the past and console your feelings by thinking Charlie dies in defense of his country...". Fine, bright and legible letters with fantastic content. A great and truly moving group.Auction Info
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