101. Gill, Dr. John and B. Stanton
Three Civil War Letters and a Note

Houston, Texas; Millican, Texas; Cleveland, Ohio: June 21, 1865; July 7, 1865; Summer 1865; June 12, 1885
In May of 1865, Gill had been in Selma, Alabama. Sometime before June 21, 1865, Gill had moved to Galveston and eventually to Houston. Houston is an occupied city not particularly cordial to Union soldiers and vice versa. Gill writes: "Before we arrived, gold and silver was the only money used. There is any amount of ? Here. They do not care about taking our 'green backs' but our soldiers in purchasing offer them and if they are not taken (greenbacks) they, the soldiers, take the goods and walk off. Generally, though, the citizens are courteous but occasionally we meet some rabid rebels. Every one carries a larger bowie knife and revolver. One of the servants belonging to the 34th Iowa regt. Was killed yesterday by a citizen before we had been in the city fifteen minutes." In July, Gill is in Millican, Texas ("it is a miserable cutthroat hole.") Apparently, Confederate supporters are not accepting defeat graciously. Gill records an incident of defiance. "Yesterday, two men came to Head Quarters and were paroled. About an hour after one of them on horseback attempted to pull down the flag in front of Head Quarters. He succeeded in getting one half of it and rode off before the sentinel had time to cap his gun. His accomplice at Head Quarters at the time - he took hold of the sentinel's gun and prevented him from shooting after the man on horseback." "He was arrested and is now under guard. Had I my way he would be strung up to the first tree. There is an organized gang of these fellows. They were overheard by one of our soldiers making the plot. They intended killing the Colonel and stealing my pony and the adjutant's and the flag. Before this soldier could get to camp to warn us, these two men had rode in town and partly accomplished their object. They have threatened to raise a force and make a dash into town and release the man we have under guard. Also threaten to kill every officer if they have to pick them off one by one. We have strong guards stationed about town and pickets out. I hardly think they will do us any harm. This seems very little like times of peace. Texas is an outlawed state. I wish our army had gone through the entire state and laid it in waste." In the Summer of 1865, Dr. Gill received a letter from B.Stanton, one of his comrades and an assistant surgeon, who had also been taken prisoner in Texas by the Confederates. Stanton writes this letter on the year anniversary of their release. Stanton has been to visit Gill's mother in Cleveland. Draft letter of recommendation for a family friend applying for the position of Acting Assistant Surgeon of the Marine Hospital (Washington, D.C.?), dated June 12, 1885, from Dr. John C. Gill.

100/200     SOLD: $356.50

102. Gill, Dr. John
Civil War Letter: Financial Worries

St.Charles, Arkansas: September 18, 1864
Dr. Gill is the sole support of his infirm mother (her eyesight is very bad) and young sisters and brothers. While performing his duties as a Union Army medical doctor, Gill is trying to sell some vacant land and to renovate rental property in Ohio via the mail. This September letter details his financial frustration. Gill had been taken prisoner by the Confederate Army and the "rebs took every thing from me with the exception of what I had on my back at the time, and these happened to be my poorest clothing, and you can imagine what condition I was in when I reached our lines again, without money or a change of clothing. What I had on was a 'seedy' condition I assure you." After his return to his unit, Gill had to buy himself clothes, a horse, blankets, etc. as the Army did not supply them. He had to borrow against his future salary in order to continue serving. According to this letter, Gill had not been paid for five months. He writes about clothes and what he dreams of buying. Rather jealously, Gill complains: "All the other officers are marching around camp putting on all the style imaginable with their high heeled slippers, the gifts of some fair lady. Before I entered the service I considered myself among one of the fortunates as I very often received (??) or other from the ladies but I am now on the list of those that are layed on the shelf." Gill also complains that the folks at home -especially his brother Henry - are not writing him often enough. "He knows from experience," Gill continues, "how soldiers long for the mail to come to camp, and the disappointment if they receive no letters." It is obvious from this letter that Dr. Gill is miserable.

50/100     SOLD: $92.00

103. Gill, Dr. John
Civil War Letter: In Florida

Pensacola, Florida: March 19, 1865
Gill's regiment has been relocated to Pensacola. He writes to his mother: "Were you to look upon us in camp tonight you would not suppose that it was the Sabbath. The men are busily engaged in cooking their rations prepatory to a march." They are getting ready for battle. "Whatever direction we take I think our force strong enough to make its way through. We have twelve thousand men and two batteries of artillery besides cavalry." Gill writes movingly about the plight of the Pensacola inhabitants. "Pensacola presents a very sorry and forlorn appearance. There are only some dozen families in the place. Most of the houses are torn down to build quarters for the soldiers. The few that are left are destroyed so that they can never be repaired. The streets are filled with ruins, weeds and rubbish of all kinds." "Many of the property owners are at work for the government at the Pensacola Navy Yard. And they are as a general thing quite poor. Every day some of them can be seen looking upon the ruins of their once happy homes. I do not think that this destruction of property has been attended with justice, as the poor are generally the greatest sufferers. And the larger portion of them are engaged in government employ at the Navy Yard or Bassancas(?) While the most wealthy who have fine residences (and who are now in the rebel army) their houses are used for headquarters for our commanding officers. Consequently, are not interfered with."

50/100     SOLD: $241.50

104. Gill, Dr. John
Civil War Letter: Occupied Selma

Selma, Alabama: April 29, 1865
Gill has been transferred to Selma, Alabama and appears to like it. "Selma is quite a pretty place, situated on high ground and liberally supplied with springs of cold water. Streets are wide and well shaded with trees. Much taste is shown in building of residences and arranging of the dooryards and lawns. The citizens are peaceably disposed and are civil. The business portion of the city is destroyed by fire. The Arsenal and all the exterior works for the Manufacture of Canon, small arms, ammunition, etc. are entirely destroyed." Gill adds an interesting postscript to the Union victory: "Our division under command of Genl Andrews remains here while General Steel accompanied by a division of nigger troops goes up the river to Montgomery. The citizens are pleased that white troops are doing garrison duty here. They have a dread of niggers and I think they have good reason for feeling so."

100/200     SOLD: $184.00

105. Gill, Dr. John
Civil War Letter: To Sister Anna

St.Charles, Arkansas: September 29, 1864
Gill's regiment is encamped in a very pleasant area "formerly a large residence and judge that the grounds were laid out very nicely about the house but everything is destroyed.." In addition to caring for his own regiment, Gill writes that "the 29th Wis. Regt has been temporarily assigned to my care (medical) besides some twenty cases among the refugees. This extra duty consumes nearly all my time." The river is low, and boats are stuck on sandbars (as was the case during the Red River Expedition) and guerillas continue to snipe. "Nearly every night we have firing on the picket lines. Our cavalry are out scouting every day. They killed one of their leaders a few days ago. A very desperate man. His name was Brown. A boat was fired into on Monday last, some twenty miles above this place. Some fifty shots were fired, but fortunately no one was injured."

50/100     SOLD: $57.50

106. Gill, Dr. John
Three Civil War Letters (Late 1864)

St. Charles, Arkansas; Camp at Mouth of White River; Morganzia, Louisiana: October 16, November 10, December 17, 1864
The rigors of military life are taking their toll on Dr. Gill. In his October letter, he writes of his physical condition: "When on that Clinton march my feet were so swollen that I could not find socks large enough to wear had to put bandages on I could not stand on them but had to be helped on and off from my horse. The pain I endured when riding was intense being increased by having my feet hang down." Apparently, Gill was also covered with undiagnosed red spots. Rations are low; "many of the men living on parched corn" and "they got at the last issue but four pounds of meat to ten men and 3 crackers a day." ( Pages missing in this letter.) In the November letter, Gill is once again on the move - this time aboard the Steamer Wallace. The mission is again a secret one, but "the general impression is that we will go up to White River again to Devils Bluff and from there on to Little Rock." One of the other doctors is ill and has requested a leave of absence leaving Gill with double duty. "But Mother," he writes, "there is no use of worrying. I have learnt to take things coolly. This is the only way to do as we are Father Abraham's children and consequently dutiful children must do his bidding. If I live long enough I still hope to see you sometime and make Cleveland a visit." In the December letter, Gill's regiment has been consolidated with a number of smaller regiments. They are now all called the "114th O.O.T." in the "Reserved Corps Military Division of West Mississippi." Gill is in the 3rd Brigade commanded by General Andrews. Their duty is "to protect different points in the river. Kind of a flying corps to be ready to move at anytime and at a moment's warning." Gill continues to complain about his family's negligence in letter writing. "What has happened to Tommy and Henry.They at one time were very punctual in writing but of late I have heard nothing from them. As for Anna I never expect to be the recipient of a missive written by her fair hand. I gave up all hopes long ago." Additionally, there is still no money. According to this letter, Gill has not been paid a visit by the paymaster since April (eight months.)

100/200     SOLD: $247.25

107. Gill, Dr. John
Two Louisiana Civil War Letters

Morganzia, Louisiana: August 23 and September 9, 1864
The Union Army is still smarting from the humiliating Red River Expedition. In his August letter, Gill is being shipped out to Port Hudson on a hasty and secret mission. "We are not allowed," he writes, "to carry any baggage only one blanket. Tents and all baggage to remain behind." He does not believe that his regiment will return to Morganzia and believes that Port Hudson " is as unhealthy as this place." By the 9th of September, Gill is encamped at the mouth of the White River amidst cotton fields. "We have now just received orders to be ready at a moment's notice to embark. We go to St. Charles about one hundred miles up White River. It is supposed that the rebels are concentrating at Monroe and I suppose that our division in connexion with Genl Mowry's command will go to meet them. Genl Mowry is stationed at St. Charles." Gill also attempts to take care of property matters at home in Ohio grumbling about the difficulties of getting paid while on the march.

50/100     SOLD: $126.50

108. Handerson, et al.
Eight Civil War Journals, Letters and Diaries

Handerson, H.E. YANKEE IN GRAY: THE CIVIL WAR MEMOIRS OF HENRY E. HANDERSON WITH A SELECTION OF HIS WARTIME LETTERS. 1962. Chisholm, D. THE CIVIL WAR NOTEBOOK OF DANIEL CHISHOLM. A CHRONICLE OF DAILY LIFE IN THE UNION ARMY 1864-1865. 1989. Jones, J. A REBEL WAR CLERK'S DIARY. 1958. Prescott, W.H. THE PAPERS OF WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT. 1964. Lee, E. B. THE CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF ELIZABETH BLAIR LEE. WARTIME WASHINGTON. 1991. Lauderdale, J.V. THE WOUNDED RIVER. THE CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF JOHN VANCE LAUDERDALE, M.D. 1993. Ward, E.D. THE CHILDREN OF BLADENSFIELD. 1978. Gates, B. THE COLTON LETTERS: CIVIL WAR PERIOD 1861-1865. 1993.

50/100     SOLD: $46.00

109. Hoehling, et al.
Six Books on Civil War Battles

Hoehling, A.A. and M. Hoehling. THE DAY RICHMOND DIED.1981. Swanberg, W.A. FIRST BLOOD: THE STORY OF FORT SUMTER. 1957. Furnas, J.C. THE ROAD TO HARPERS FERRY. The strange case of John Brown and his sponsors, the Secret Six- the facts and the follies that shaped them, from the noisome African Slave Trade to the Shenandoah Valley. 1959. Johnson, R. U. and C.C. Buel, ed. THE WAY TO APPOMATTOX: BATTLES AND LEADERS OF THE CIVIL WAR. VOLUME IV. 1956.Catton, B. A STILLNESS AT APPOMATTOX. 1954.McWhiney, G. and P.D. Jamieson. ATTACK AND DIE: CIVIL WAR MILITARY TACTICS AND THE SOUTHERN HERITAGE. 1982.

25/50     SOLD: $34.50

110. Kelley, D.O.
Civil War Letter: Upon the Death Of His Brother Rush Kelley

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: October 4, 1864(?)
This letter is dated October 4, 1864 erroneously. A more accurate date is November 4, 1864. D.O. Kellley's brother, Rush, died on October 27, 1864; D.O. Kelley received a letter from his sister about the death on October 30th. In his grief, he may have mistakenly dated his response to her letter. Assumably, Rush is D.O. Kelley's younger brother as he did not enlist until August of 1864, more than two years after D.O. Kelley enlisted. Rush joined the Army in early August and by October 3rd had already contracted rheumatic fever. (For a detailed account of Rush's wartime experiences, illness, death, and tributes from his friends, see other letters in this collection; regarding Rush Kelley's opinion about African-Americans in the Union Army, see Past Auctions: August Books, Maps and Prints.) D.O. Kelley is grief-stricken, angry that no one told him how sick his brother really was. Then, he turns to typical Victorian-era philosophizing and religiosity. In a more original turn reflecting his bitterness toward the war, D.O. Kelley writes: "And that his last resting place is here he might have desired it even though he should picked the spot himself when Living. Not as many thousands have been since this cruel war commenced whose body may have been mangled by some poisonous Shell or ball + left to decay in some unmarked spot in this tratorous country." A powerful letter about the sometime pointlessness of war.

100/200     SOLD: $138.00