Civil War Soldier's Letter Dated February 28, 1863 and sent from New Orleans to His Brother back in Massachusetts.
Single sheet folded to form four pages, 20 x 26 cm., as folded. Written in a neat hand although there were quite a few words that we failed to decipher. Corey devotes the first three pages of this letter to reporting on the unpleasant voyage to New Orleans which featured two severe storms with a pleasant one-day interlude between the storms in Key West where he reported that the local inhabitants were "strong secesh." He bought large, freshly picked oranges for one cent each and enjoyed bathing twice in the sea -- he comments that the white sand served equally as well in bathing as hand soap does." He also reports: "It was Sunday the day we was there Stores & Places of business all closed up but the streets were lined with Ladies & Gents in full Summer dress with Sun Shades & Fans as much as though you were at church in Fitchburg." The fourth page reports on his arrival in Louisiana and the slow pace of activity in the next few weeks -- the only action reported is that they were ordered to cook three days rations for the men & to be ready to move in the morning with other regiments only to have the order countermanded in the morning. He reports that his health has been good other than a head sore that had finally stopped discharging. Corey received a head wound a few months after this letter was written during the siege at Port Hudson. Corey, a lumber manufacturer before and after his enlistment and a Captain in the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, had enlisted in the 53rd Regiment on Oct. 17, 1862 and served until the end of his term of service on September 2, 1863. Very Good. Item #88811
Price: $375.00