Nov 21, 2024 - Sale 2687

Sale 2687 - Lot 90

Price Realized: $ 2,080
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
(CIVIL WAR--MASSACHUSETTS.) Arthur Harris. Letters of an East Bridgewater artillery sergeant. 22 letters, most written by Harris during the war; generally minor wear; most with original stamped envelopes. Various places, 1853-1864
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Additional Details

Arthur Harris (1828-1910) was a carpenter in East Bridgewater, MA serving in the state militia as a sergeant when he was activated in the 3rd Massachusetts Infantry in April 1861 as one of the "Minute Men of '61." He then served in the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery from 1862 to 1864 when these letters were written.

The lot includes 14 letters from Harris home to his parents and nephew in East Bridgewater, 1862-1864. Most are long and descriptive accounts of camp life and fort construction. The 30 May 1864 letter describes the aftermath of the Harris Farm engagement which closed the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse: "John Bryant was killed, Charles McCarter was wounded and died the following night." In the 11 days since the battle, the regiment has "been on its feet nearly all the time and being pretty well tired out. . . . This is the hardest experience that ever I had. . . . We are now about five miles south of the river, and in the face of the enemy." Writing from "near Petersburg" on 26 June 1864, "I have seen hard service since I wrote you last. . . . We have been in three engagements since we came this side of the James River . . . besides being under fire nearly all the time."

Also included are 8 other family letters from 1853-1864. Two are written by Civil War soldiers. An Eleazar writes to "Cousin Harry" from Fort DeKalb (Arlington, VA) on 8 January 1862. George H. Trow writes to "Friend Harris" from Camp Kearney in Carrolton, LA on 7 February 1863: "I don't blame the Rebels much for fighting so desperately for such a beautiful land. I wish you could see the orange groves here, with their leaves green and covered with golden fruit."