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THBCorporal Charles C. Derrick, 32nd Massachusetts Infantry, KIA Petersburg, Civil War Archive
Lot 100
About Seller
Cowan's Auctions
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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By Cowan's Auctions
Nov 18, 2016 - Nov 19, 2016
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2016-11-18 10:00:00
2016-11-19 10:00:00
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- Lot Description
Lot of 57, featuring 54 letters from Corporal Charles Derrick, 32nd Regiment, killed in action June 18, 1864 near Petersburg, VA, including 45 to his mother Sophie Derrick, and 9 to his brother John; plus 2 letters to Mrs. Derrick from Sergeant Isaac W. Smith and a single letter to Derrick’s family from Sergeant William F. Tuttle, each containing information concerning Derrick’s death and his sergeant’s thoughts about him.
Although immersed in the bloodshed, carnage and mayhem of the Civil War, Corporal Derrick maintained his devotion to his family, his country and the Lord. He participated in dozens of skirmishes and major battles at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. This correspondence offers a first person perspective of his two volatile years spent in the Army of the Potomac.
A few of Derrick’s words written to his mother and brother in Charlestown, MA provide insight to his thoughts on the war and other topics:
On May 23, 1862 from Camp Potomac Creek, VA...for the rebels say that they should rather lost 20 thousand men than to have lost Jackson for he was a smart general...
On September 1, 1862 from Minor’s Hill, VA...I hope we will be coming home very soon because I am getting sick of soldiers life. It is an awful life. It is worse than a slaves life.
An undated letter from Camp Near Sharpsburg, MD...all we can here is cannons and drums.
On November 27, 1862 from Camp Near Fredericksburg, VA...i had a dream about home and thought that a was eating pies and cakes and i wish I was to home today to help you eat some of the turkey that i suppose you have got but we have got some hard bread and coffe...
On December 17, 1862 from Camp Near Fredericksburg, VA...i may thank God that I am alive...I have just come out of battle...we was in battle of Fredericksburg...it was an awful site to see all the killed and wounded on field...there was about 15 or 20 thousand killed and wounded...the rebels was so strongly fortified that we could not drive them. They had brest works thron up.
On June 5, 1863 from Camp at Kempers Ford, VA...i have joust come of picket...and whe have to stay on picket 24 ours to a time and it is very easy duty i had some talk with the rebbels pickets yesterday whe was talking with them all day pickets don’t fire at each other for it is against the rules to fire on pickets i was fishing yesterday when i was on picket and the rebbels on the other side was fishing and we had quite nice time there whe was to enemy only about 100 feet apart...they say that Grant is surrounded and cant get out and we tell them Vicksburg is taken and they say it cant be taken they wont to no how whe like the war and they say that they are tired of it and wish it was over...they are all reservinists and they don’t like to see us come here but if it wasent for the armey a good of them would starve...
On July 4, 1863 on the battlefield near Gettysburg in Pennsylvania...on the night of the 2nd about 4 o’ clock we went into the fight it was one of the hardest fights ever whe had...edwin hall was the one was killed and me and 2 of the boys buried him this morning...it was an awful sight to see many killed lying on the field we have taken about 29 thousand prisoners and three of there best Generals Longstreet – A. P. Hill and Ewell...Thank the lord that he has spared my life through this awful battle
A Confederate artillery shell ended life for Corporal Charles Derrick on June 18, 1864 near Petersburg, VA. His last letter to his mother on May 31, 1864 stated, i think that god is on my side lately.
Although he experienced unspeakable death, destruction and misery, he was convinced that the Union cause was just. These letters reveal a basic soldier who volunteered to defend his country in the bloodiest conflict in United States history. - Shipping Info
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