Solomon
Private
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2017
- Location
- Knoxville, TN
I have recently acquired a Civil War letter, dated April 26th, 1862, with a full transcription (and photos) below for the CWT community, if interested. The letter was written by Henry Scott Murray (1836-1905), who served with the 8th New York Artillery from Oct. 30th, 1861 to June 30, 1865, and who mustered out as a sergeant, going on to patent the Delaware County milk pan, which he produced for the rest of his life [**note: soldier's history provided by the seller, and unverified by me].
The seller appears to be quite legit, with a long selling history, and claims to be a member of the American Philatelic Society, the US Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance, and the Illinois Postal History Society. The paper looks to be vintage (laid, or ribbed), written in pencil, and is in typical fair condition, no envelope.
So.. Murray mentions that they were near Yorktown, ordered to shell rebel fortifications, when four prisoners were captured (on the day before the note was written, so 4/25/62), who were supposed to be rebel spies. The men were apparently dressed in Union attire (with bloody clothes in their knapsacks) and concealing papers that were sewn into their overcoats. Murray goes on to say that - after being detained in a log cabin - they were to be sent to McClellan's headquarters for further examination. The last (fourth) image below shows the section of the letter stating all of this.
I have done some searching on the old Google, and can not come up much on the 8th NY to help confirm the authenticity of the letter, and I definitely have not found anything pertaining to the purported rebel spies. But as this letter intrigues me (further mentioning Sickles' Brigade, which I thought was neat), I would love to have any further information on the characters discussed, and whether anything ever came of it. Looking forward to any responses!
Transcription:
Camp near Warwick, Va.
Saturday, April 26th 1862
Dear Brother,
I received your letter of April 13th in due season although we do not get mail here very regular. We left Newport some time ago as you no doubt know 'ere this, and are now drawing near the enemy as we are now within some six or eight miles of Yorktown and we can hear firing every day from the forts which are being built — some within three miles of here.
We were ordered out the other day to go and shell rebel fortifications that they were building about two miles from here. We started and got about a mile when we got news that the rebels had left so we had to return to camp without having a chance to get a shot at them.
There has been four rebel prisoners captured here yesterday. They were supposed to be spies. They were examined and their clothes searched and some papers found, sewed in their overcoats. What the papers were, I have not heard, but they are now confined in a log cabin a short way from our camp. They are rather suspicious-looking characters and I think if they are a specimen of the rebels, they are a degraded-looking race of men. They were dressed in uniform the same as our troops. In their knapsacks were found some clothes which were stained with blood (which they could not give a very strict account of). They are to be sent to McClellan's headquarters for further examination.
Everything around here has the appearance of a rapid preparation for the coming battle which will soon take place at Yorktown. There is roads being made and fortifications being thrown up in almost every direction from here, and there is troops coming in around here by the thousands. Sickles' Brigade is now stationed some five miles from here. Some of our company have been to see [Capt. Robert T.] Johnson's company but I have not had an opportunity to go yet. I have heard from John [M.] Gordon. He is well. I intend to go and see him as soon as possible.
You spoke in your last of having asked me some things in your letters which I have not answered. I am of the same opinion with you. I do not think I get all your letters as I do not receive on an average one letter a week from you and I do not think you get all mine as I write at least once a week to you. I think I have answered all that you have asked me but if there is anything that you want to know, I want you to write and I assure you. I will answer whatever you may ask me — cheerfully.
The weather is quite wet here at present and it makes it very disagreeable for us. It has been a very backward season here. The trees are just beginning to leaf out but there is not the least appearance of cultivation. Everything is in a state of ruin. There is scarcely a house to be seen as they have all been burned or town down by the rebels as they retreated before our troops when they made their advance toward Yorktown. It is fine land around here. There is a good deal of pine and oak timber and not so swampy as some places we have been.
The boys are all well. Bob White and myself are in our usual good health — thank God for it. Hoping this will find you all enjoying the same blessing, I remain yours, &c. — H. S. Murray
Photos:
The seller appears to be quite legit, with a long selling history, and claims to be a member of the American Philatelic Society, the US Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance, and the Illinois Postal History Society. The paper looks to be vintage (laid, or ribbed), written in pencil, and is in typical fair condition, no envelope.
So.. Murray mentions that they were near Yorktown, ordered to shell rebel fortifications, when four prisoners were captured (on the day before the note was written, so 4/25/62), who were supposed to be rebel spies. The men were apparently dressed in Union attire (with bloody clothes in their knapsacks) and concealing papers that were sewn into their overcoats. Murray goes on to say that - after being detained in a log cabin - they were to be sent to McClellan's headquarters for further examination. The last (fourth) image below shows the section of the letter stating all of this.
I have done some searching on the old Google, and can not come up much on the 8th NY to help confirm the authenticity of the letter, and I definitely have not found anything pertaining to the purported rebel spies. But as this letter intrigues me (further mentioning Sickles' Brigade, which I thought was neat), I would love to have any further information on the characters discussed, and whether anything ever came of it. Looking forward to any responses!
Transcription:
Camp near Warwick, Va.
Saturday, April 26th 1862
Dear Brother,
I received your letter of April 13th in due season although we do not get mail here very regular. We left Newport some time ago as you no doubt know 'ere this, and are now drawing near the enemy as we are now within some six or eight miles of Yorktown and we can hear firing every day from the forts which are being built — some within three miles of here.
We were ordered out the other day to go and shell rebel fortifications that they were building about two miles from here. We started and got about a mile when we got news that the rebels had left so we had to return to camp without having a chance to get a shot at them.
There has been four rebel prisoners captured here yesterday. They were supposed to be spies. They were examined and their clothes searched and some papers found, sewed in their overcoats. What the papers were, I have not heard, but they are now confined in a log cabin a short way from our camp. They are rather suspicious-looking characters and I think if they are a specimen of the rebels, they are a degraded-looking race of men. They were dressed in uniform the same as our troops. In their knapsacks were found some clothes which were stained with blood (which they could not give a very strict account of). They are to be sent to McClellan's headquarters for further examination.
Everything around here has the appearance of a rapid preparation for the coming battle which will soon take place at Yorktown. There is roads being made and fortifications being thrown up in almost every direction from here, and there is troops coming in around here by the thousands. Sickles' Brigade is now stationed some five miles from here. Some of our company have been to see [Capt. Robert T.] Johnson's company but I have not had an opportunity to go yet. I have heard from John [M.] Gordon. He is well. I intend to go and see him as soon as possible.
You spoke in your last of having asked me some things in your letters which I have not answered. I am of the same opinion with you. I do not think I get all your letters as I do not receive on an average one letter a week from you and I do not think you get all mine as I write at least once a week to you. I think I have answered all that you have asked me but if there is anything that you want to know, I want you to write and I assure you. I will answer whatever you may ask me — cheerfully.
The weather is quite wet here at present and it makes it very disagreeable for us. It has been a very backward season here. The trees are just beginning to leaf out but there is not the least appearance of cultivation. Everything is in a state of ruin. There is scarcely a house to be seen as they have all been burned or town down by the rebels as they retreated before our troops when they made their advance toward Yorktown. It is fine land around here. There is a good deal of pine and oak timber and not so swampy as some places we have been.
The boys are all well. Bob White and myself are in our usual good health — thank God for it. Hoping this will find you all enjoying the same blessing, I remain yours, &c. — H. S. Murray
Photos:
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