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Union Soldier's Letter Archive...
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Description
Union Soldier's Letter Archive of twenty seven letters (more than 100 written pages, varying sizes) by John P. DeMerritt of the 29th Wisconsin Infantry. The letters are dated August 23 through December 14, 1862, and pick up again on January 20, 1865. The last letter is dated July 24, 1865; all letters are written to various members of his family. The group also includes his muster-in papers, discharge, a letter of recommendation, and a manuscript Special Order discharge to enable DeMerritt to accept a commission. Several of the early letters include annotations by DeMerritt made much later in life, adding detail or giving an opinion, or noting that they had been read at a GAR Post.DeMerritt served in the Quarter Master's department, and his early letters give a detailed account of his duties. He gives meticulous accounts of foraging and dispensing supplies to his men. His early letters include multiple requests for a pistol: "Camp Randall. Madison, Wis. Sept 30, 1862... I have come to the conclusion that I do not want from Father only one of his pistols. That for a watch I will use my own. For a Revolver if I do not draw one, depend upon the contraband property which comes into our hands legally. But I want a Pistol I can depend upon, one that for one charge gives me an advantage over any other pistol and I can find that only in one of Father's make... I would not give one scrap for all the swords in the world and I would not carry one were I not obliged to..." DeMerritt adds a full page of commentary in April 23, 1900, providing detail and telling anecdotes about a few of the Soldiers he served with.
On October 13, 1862, still stationed in Camp Randall, he writes describing his duties distributing uniforms to his troops: "Three companies of the 30th Regt are encamped on the same ground with us and nine companies arrive to night and the rest of the Regt soon. We have received and distributed nearly all the overcoats, ands and shirts and drawers and will get the rest of the clothes soon and be off in about ten days I guess..." A few days later, on October 18, 1862, he reports: "Monday the Guns will be on hand and I think we will be moving in about a week. We shall probably go to Washington or directly South. We are to have the best pattern of the Springfield Rifle - very lucky. The first Regiment of the State I think to have that gun..." He then provides a map and detailed description of Camp Randall, listing the locations of the barracks, officers' quarters, hospital, magazine stores, and quarter masters stores.
He writes on December 2, 1862 from Camp Salomon in Mississippi: "A few days ago about 12000 of this army went down the river about twelve miles and marched across the country of this state (Miss) to intercept Price's retreat. Gen Grant is following him up with a good army and if our troops cut off his retreat we may hope Price's army is taken..."
The 29th Wisconsin participated in the Mobile Campaign at the close of the war, and this archive includes several letters from this period with excellent content. In a letter (6pp) dated March 31 and April 1, 1965, DeMerritt writes, "About 12 o clock at night the picket firing became so heavy it awoke me. The firing increased & I knew the Rebs were nearer our Camp. Soon after the firing became so heavy the whole line was aroused and our Brigade fell-in & went out to support the pickets... Every minute or two a bullet would whiz by us to warn us to lay low. But the Rebs found our pickets too much for them and soon fell back....The Regt has been and still with thousands of others laying siege to what may be called one of the defences of Mobile... our side was restraining active operations until Gen. Thomas arrived at the rear of the city so that we can be surer of capture. Deserters come into our line most every day..." On April 23, 1865, DeMerritt mourns the death of Lincoln: "During the early part of the week we were electrified with joy over the report of the capture of Richmond, and the capture of Lee and army... But while our hearts were filled with gladness over these things, the news of the President's and Sec. Seward's death fell like a thunder-bolt upon us and changed like lightning our great joy into profound mourning. Words are too feeble to express the depth & Breadth of feeling in the Army against this atrocity. Soldiers, who are supposed to be above shedding tears, actually did so such on the reception of this sad news..."
The remaining letters give frequent updates on his remaining days in the army, and observations of the attitudes of Southerners regarding their return to the Union. Overall condition is near fine; the majority of the letters are exceptionally clean and highly legible. Of particular interest in this group are the annotations made by DeMerritt on three separate occasions; always adding greater detail and insight to the events recounted. One such notation informs us that one of his officers, Col. Gill would die soon after the war in an insane asylum. Also, makes reference to the pardoning of rebel soldiers, and the arrival of "Darky troops" in New Orleans. This archive includes copies of his service record and pension application.
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Auction Info
2011 December 8-9 Manuscripts Grand Format Auction- New York #6063 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2011
8th-9th
Thursday-Friday
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