Lot 202 email save

Burying A Soldier Who Died of Congestive Heart Fai

War-date Union soldier's letter written in pencil by Quarter Master Sgt. John P. DeMerit, 29th Wisconsin, 6p. folio, ink, Camp Salomon, December 14, 1862, and reads in part: "...we have lost several men but there has some thing hindered every burial of having a regular army internment. All that died at Camp Randall were sent to their friends. The other day a fine looking & apparently very rugged fellow walked up to our Hospital a little unwell. For a day or two he was the same but in about forty-eight hours he was taken worse & died. His disease was an affliction of the heart & lungs. On a very pretty & appropriate spot a grave was dug and being a corporal a band of eight privates commanded by a corporal followed their companion to the grave. They were not alone for it being a new sight most of the regiment joined in and a long train was made up. At the grave the Chaplain read a lot of promiscuous selections from the Bible, made a few remarks and closed with prayer. The eight soldiers then loaded & fired over the grave three times & we all returned to our tents, like me I guess, thoughtful & serious...". Much more interesting content with DeMerit then adding a great content ca. 1900 postscript and one strand of his red whisker purposely threaded through last page. Fine.

View Raynors' Historical Collectible Auctions next auction.

Similar lots up for auction