1862 CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS LETTER ON BATTLE OF SHILOH ILLUSTRATED LETTER SHEET
Outstanding and original, Handwritten Manuscript Civil War Soldier's Letter dated June 30, 1862 and written on a wonderfully illustrated Civil War Letter Sheet titled "Great Battle at Pittsburgh Landing" and depicting the Battle of Shiloh. The Letter was written by Private John Clarkson Jay Jr. Of Company F, 71st Regiment New York State Militia from Fort Gains, at Tennallytown, D. Private Jay was the son of the famous Physician and acclaimed Conchologist John Clarkson Jay Sr. And great grandson and namesake of Founding Father and first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court John Jay.
The Letter is written to Private Jay's mother and written on a four page, folding letter sheets measuring 5" by 7 3/4". The illustration at the top of the first page is a wonderful view of a clash between massive Confederate and Union forces with the Battle of Shiloh raging.
Visible are a number of American and Confederate Flags with what appear to be Union Zouave forces in the foreground and the Confederate forces in the distance. The Letter is dated Sunday, June 30, 1862 from Fort Gains and reads in full. We have been ordered to relieve the 59th N. Which have for the last six months been garrisoning the forts in this vicinity.
Two of our companies have gone to Fort Pennsylvania, one to Fort Bailey, one to Fort Franklin, one to Fort Alexandria, one to Chain Bridge, one to Fort Vermont, one to Fort Cameron + our company are stationed in Fort Gains. I received a letter from Laura yesterday. I thank her very much for her beautiful present to me. I shall write to her at Carbondale.
I was on guard saturday + saturday night. Sunday I was on the wood + water detail.
We moved in here yesterday afternoon. I received a letter yesterday from Fred Prime. He says that he has been tending the wounded, + helping the doctors on Davids Island. If I was not here this summer that would be the place for me.
We entered this fort at 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The 59th moved out at the same time.
I never saw things in such a fearful condition. Chloride of lime however used unsparingly soon brought things to a better state. This fort mounts 4.32 pounders. We have found some boards to lay on at night. Until now every night we have been in camp we have had nothing but the bare ground to lay on.
We shall probably only remain in these forts for a day or two until the 10th Rhode Islanders relieve us. We shall then go back to our old quarters. I would prefer to stay here. With much love to all I remain your aff.
Was obviously a well to do and very well educated soldier from a prominent New York family. It is rather interesting to note the perspective from which Private Jay views his service which would conclude after 3 months when the Regiment would be mustered out. It appears that later in the Civil War, Jay enlisted as a surgeon and served in New Orleans. This wonderful, Civil War Soldier's Letter is in very good condition overall. The Letter is written in iron gall ink and the handwriting is neat and very legible. The illustration at the top of the Letter Sheet is dark and bold and very attractive. There is some scattered light soiling but overall the Letter is well preserved and display nicely. A fascinating Handwritten Manuscript Civil War Soldier's Letter dated June 30, 1862 and written on a wonderfully illustrated Civil War Letter Sheet depicting the Battle of Shiloh and a fantastic addition to any collection!! And Click Here to Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers List.Click Here to Discover More About this Item and Many Others on Our New Informational / Non-Commercial / Reference Blog - Walnutts. The item "1862 CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS LETTER ON BATTLE OF SHILOH ILLUSTRATED LETTER SHEET" is in sale since Friday, October 16, 2015. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Correspondence, Mail". The seller is "walnutts" and is located in Brewster, Massachusetts.
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