Civil War PRISONER JOHNSON'S ISLAND 22 Letters 1862 (04/12/2007)...

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Civil War PRISONER JOHNSON'S ISLAND 22 Letters 1862-65

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Civil War PRISONER JOHNSON'S ISLAND 22 Letters 1862-65

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Sold Date: 04/12/2007
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Militaria & Weapons

CAPTAIN Wm. B SPENCER

22 LETTERS written from Harrisonburg La (He arrived by carriage), Camp Edwards, Camp Shelly, Camp Blanchard in 1862 before being taken prisoner, Military Prison in Memphis in 1864. Military Prison in Natchez 1864 and Johnson's Island 1864 & '65 To Wife in Little River, Calahoula, Louisiana & later in Natchez, Mississippi and to a friend 1 letter - Harrisonburg 1862 (La) 1 letter - Camp Edwards (near Delha) 1862 5 letters - Camp Shelly (near Monroe) 1862 1 letter - Military Prison Natchez 1864 1 letter - Military Prison Memphis 1864 12 letters - Johnson's Island (Ohio) Including letters written Christmas Day, New Year's Day & on his birthday. 1864-1865 1 letter - Office Post Commander - Alexandria 1865 - from friend to wife stating the ship arrived with several officers from Johnson's Island but did not include Wm. B Spencer Captain/Judge William Brainerd Spencer was a relative, I have had these letters in a box for well over 40 years. I will quote part of several letters although I find them hard to read & will enter a "??" when I am unable to read a word. Each letter is signed: W m B Spencer ****** PLEASE NOTE: 2 of the letters dated 1862 & written from Camp Shelly are split into 2 parts at the center fold. The 2 parts fit together. ALSO 2 of the Johnson's Island letters are also split in 1/2 at the fold. 2 of the letters written while at Johnson's Island have "Approved By Col. .... (I cannot read the name or signature)" hand written across the letter. Letter dated May 3, 1864 - Military Prison Memphis To wife - Catahoula Parish, La. Since leaving Natchez I have had no opportunity to write you . We came from Natchez to Vicksburg & from the latter place on the 27th of April.... I took a violent cold coming up from Vicksburg, not being used to sleeping in the open air. I don't know how long it will be before we are sent off upcountry or to what point, but I hear that all the officers are sent to Johnson's Island which I suppose will be my destination. I hardly know how to direct you to write but probably if you would direct your letters as follows they would be forwarded to me. Captain Wm B Spencer Prisoner of War Care of P?? Marshal Memphis, Tenn. In addition to the postage to this point you must enclose a stamp in the letter so that the Pro Marshal could remail it to me if I am gone from We get plenty to eat and amust ourselves in many ways. While I write, Nye & John Young are playing a social game of "7 UP." The letter below is in 2 pieces, split at the center fold (this just happened) Letter dated January 13, 1865 - Johnson's Island My dear wife, I have not had the heart to write to you for several days - the intelligence, which I have through Buras, of the death of our sweet little Addie has completely unnerved me for the undertaking. But I know the deep sorrow and anguish which fill your poor heart, and that adds to my own grief for our little darling - Oh God! "???" I thought when you brought her to the gate to say good-bye that it was an eternal farewell to that sweet child........ Oh that I could be with you in this moment of darkness and gloom and I trust that our friends & relatives in La have not neglected to see General Smith and arrange a special exchange for Nye & myself. This letter was addresses (on outside fold) to: (can't read 1st name) F. Bimmer, Esq. Natchez, Mississippi Please get approved and forward this- The letter below is in 2 pieces, split at the center fold Letter dated July 5, 1865 - Johnson's Island My dear wife, Today is my 30th anniversary - my birthday and with it have come a thousand fond recollections of home - of you my dear wife, and of our daughter, as well as our little lost angel, our sweet blessed "??" whom God has taken to heaven. Oh that my prayer daily and hourly... to be with you again, to cheer your "??" spirits and mingle my tears with yours at the little grave of our child, may be granted. I ask for nothing more. I wri...