(9) 1862 CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS LETTERS FROM CAMP MARTIN / FORT GAINS 71st NEW YORK
Outstanding and original, Lot of 9 Handwritten Manuscript Civil War Soldier's Letters dated between July 4, 1862 and July 30, 1862. All 9 letters are written by Private John Clarkson Jay Jr. Of Company F, 71st Regiment New York State Militia from Camp Martin, 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. Eight of these fascinating Civil War Soldiers letters are written to Private Jay's mother and the 9th was written to his sister Alice - John was a very dutiful son and wrote home just about every other day and the letters give a wonderful picture of life in a Civil War Camp defending Washington, D. Each of the Letters are written on identical, four page, folding letter sheets measuring 5 1/8" by 8". Five are addressed from "Camp Martin" which was located in "front of Fort Gains" in what today is the Tenleytown section of Washington D. The sixth is addressed from Our new camp (described as being located a short distance from the old camp), and the last three do not have a return address in the title, although it is clear from reading the letters that the company is still located in the new camp. The Letters are a fascinating record of Life in Camp and are full of information describing daily routines, speculation as to the probable movement of the regiment (as well as the likely mustering in and out of same) and conditions in the camp itself. On July 15th Jay writes the report is that the 10th Rhode Island is to be sent into active service in a few days + that we are to be sworn in + shall take their place in the forts.
He later says there is every prospect of the regt. If we move everyone thinks we are only going to a new camping ground about half a mile distant. On July 17th Jay writes We moved our camp to a better location... We had very heavy showers + as they do not allow us to dig trenches around our tents all the tents were flooded.
He also speaks of all the non-commissioned officers in his company being promoted and moving up a peg, as well as being detailed to help with the moving of goods with the Quartermasters department. In his description of the new camp Jay says In our present camp there is no spring or well.
All the water for drinking, cooking + washing has to be brought in, in barrels upon a wagon and on July 30th he says we turned out in an extra parade yesterday for Martin Van Buren and describes in detail a photographic view he is sending home of his tent and its inmates and names those who are with him in the picture. Was obviously a well to do and very well educated soldier from a prominent New York family. While these letters contain a vast amount of information about the life of a Civil War soldier in Camp protecting Washington, D. It is also 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. All nine letters are in very good condition overall. All are written in pencil and the handwriting is neat and quite legible. There is some scattered light soiling and light edge wear but overall the letters are well preserved and display nicely. A fascinating Lot of 9 Handwritten Manuscript Civil War Soldier's Letters written by Private John Clarkson Jay Jr.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 "(9) 1862 CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS LETTERS FROM CAMP MARTIN / FORT GAINS 71st NEW YORK" 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. This item can be shipped worldwide.