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"Death of Ellsworth" Letter & Identified CDV! Written by Samuel Nightingale, of the 39th Massachusetts volunteers. Written from
“Headquarters-Fortress Monroe (Virginia), 27 May, 1861.”
Two large pages to his sister in Quincy, Mass. An excerpt:
“The fourth regiment has orders to leave today someplace I do not know where. It is thought that they will go up the James River about 12 miles Norfolk for the purpose of directing the land battery. All muskets do not go as not all had new musket. We will go in a few days when we have new musket. The fourth regiment has gone in a detachment of artillery and a New York regiment. Probably you have heard of the death of Ellsworth of the Ellsworth Zouaves shot in Alexandria while he was pulling down a succession flag. We heard the news from a man in Washington. His company, upon seeing Ellsworth shot, shot the man and ran him through with their bayonets and he was dead before Ellsworth was. The gentleman from Washington said that they had set the city afire in 15 places."
Much more camp news, the person who is carrying the letter home has been discharged due to illness. Letter comes with hand carry cover and period ink id'd cdv of Samuel Nightingale. GH Loomis backmark Inc.

$375.00 plus shipping