?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
(CIVIL WAR--ILLINOIS.) Bangs, Ambrose A. Letters of a prisoner of war from the 96th Illinois Infantry. 3 original Autograph Letters Signed to his wife, plus one transcript; various sizes, one letter nearly torn through, all in faded pencil. (MRS) Vp, 1863-64
Ambrose A. Bangs (1831-1920) of Wauconda, IL was a sergeant with the 96th Illinois when he suffered a minor head wound at Chickamauga and was captured, 24 September 1863. He spent more than a year in Confederate prisons. The first of these letters is dated Richmond, 3 October: "I am in a big brick building in the east part of the city with 1,000 more, 200 in the room with me. The room is about 40 x 120. . . . Have been wel treated as anyone could expect." He got another letter out from Danville, VA, 18 November: "It is of late that I found out that I could receive letters, but they must be short and will be examined on coming through the lines. . . . Where are you living now? Does anyone want to buy ower house? If you have a chance to sel it, do so." His 13 February 1864 letter from Danville exists only in a transcription made in 1937 "as it was almost faded out." He boasts of good health but requests a box of provisions. Finally, he writes on 22 November 1864 en route home after being paroled: "I am out of the cursed Confederate hands." with--Bangs's discharge, pension, and G.A.R. certificates, 1865-1914 (worn); and three letters from brother-in-law Seth Hill of Wauconda, 1879-83. Provenance: found interspersed among the family papers of Elizabeth F. Houghton (lot 270), relationship unknown.
