[CIVIL WAR]. Small archive of letters and photographs related to officers Sgt. Harry Graves, POW 2nd Bull Run, and Cpl. Edmund Wilson, WIA Fredericksburg, both of the 24th New York Volunteers.
Sale 1344 - American Historical Ephemera and Photography
May 31, 2024
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Estimate
$500 -
$700
Own a similar item?
Request An Estimate
Sold for $318
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[CIVIL WAR]. Small archive of letters and photographs related to officers Sgt. Harry Graves, POW 2nd Bull Run, and Cpl. Edmund Wilson, WIA Fredericksburg, both of the 24th New York Volunteers.
Archive contains three CDVs: albumen photograph on cardstock mount featuring a standing portrait of Corporal Edmund Wilson in uniform including frock coat with two chevrons (toned, scattered marks, light soil). New York: A.M. Burrough, [ca 1862]. -- Albumen photograph on cardstock mount featuring a standing portrait of Harry Graves in civilian attire (light soil, scattered marks, toning). Syracuse, N.Y.: Glover, [ca late 1860s]. -- CDV on cardstock mount featuring a bust portrait of Sergeant Harry Graves in civilian attire (scattered marks, toned, light soil). Syracuse & Oswego, N.Y.: H. Lazier, [ca late 1860s].
[With:] A group of six letters, including four war-date soldiers' letters. Two letters written by Graves, one to his brother and another to his sister-in-law Sarah Adelle "Della" Graves (1841-1925), wife of his brother Edwin Graves. Graves writes to his brother from "Arlington Mill, Va" on 5 August 1861 describing his location and circumstances. "Our regiment is now encamped about 15 miles from Washington on the southern side of the Potomac we are thrown out as an advanced guard and are now stationed where other regiments have refused to stay unless there was a large force sent on we are encamped about three miles from the enemy & have breastworks thrown up...." Graves's second letter is sent to "Della" from his ranch in Chinook, Montana, in 1906 and contains general family news and events. -- Three letters written by Wilson, one to his parents and another two to his sister "Della." Wilson writes twice from Fredericksburg, VA, in May 1862, once with an anecdote about cooking "hoe cakes" and another with description about his location. Notably, in his letter of 12 May 1862 he references the pontoon bridge and a bridge of canal boats across the Rappahanock, and an encounter with a "contraband": "Prisoners, deserters, and contrabands are brought in every day. Among the contrabands was one of Jeff's [Davis] coachmen. He says Mrs. Davis thinks the Confederacy about played out. And I recon she is about right." Wilson's letter of 12 March [1863] is written from Baltimore where he is working in the hospital there. Though Wilson does not mention his injury sustained at Fredericksburg, it is possible that he entered hospital due to his wound at that battle, and remained as a nurse instead of immediately rejoining the regiment.
Together, 9 items.
Wilson and Graves, who both write to "Della," were likely related through marriage, with Della married to Grave's brother and appearing to have been a sibling of Wilson. HDS indicates that Harry Graves enlisted as private on 5/4/1861 and mustered into Co. D, New York 24th Infantry regiment. He was listed as POW 8/30/1862 at Second Bull Run, paroled, and mustered out as a sergeant on 5/29/1863. HDS indicates that Wilson enlisted as a private on 5/4/1861 and mustered into Co. D of the same regiment. The 24th New York Infantry regiment, the "Oswego County Regiment," was part of the famed Eastern Iron Brigade under Col. Walter Phelps, Jr. The regiment participated in significant engagements including Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.
Condition Report
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to
age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and
restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition
they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make
no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind
as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue
description or a condition report shall not amount to a full
accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman
staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the
Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or
in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an
item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for
inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect
the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have
requested, received and understood any condition report provided
by Hindman.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.