Pvt. Joseph P. Vannest, 120th Ohio Infantry, Civil War Letters Written Aboard the Steamers Silver Wave and Pringle
Lot of 3 letters, dated November 27 (10pp), December 2 (4pp), and December 8, 1862 (11pp). Each features an illustration of a Civil War battle.
Joseph P. Vannest was a private in Co. F, 120th Ohio Infantry. In this small, but interesting group of letters, Pvt. Vannest provides the reader with a close up view as seen from aboard the Steamer Silver Wave, and the Steamer Pringle. The first letter, dated November 27, 1862, features an illustration of the Desperate Cavalry Charge at Battle near Springfield. At this time, the 120th was patrolling the river at Louisville and Indiana. Vannest mentions Covington, KY, as well as some Indiana towns on the opposite shore.
The letter dated December 2, 1862, describes Vannest's journey from Louisville down the Ohio River. He mentions an evening when he and others from his company decided to go into the wilds of Ky, arming themselves with a few good Colt's revolvers, to use in a case of an emergency. During this outing, he and his friends came upon a plantation, hunted for chickens, and captured one good fat turkey before being scared off by bloodhounds. Vannest mentions taking a slave with them when they fled the scene, stating that when the officers agreed to bring him along, I will bet you never saw a gladder being in your life. This ends at page 4, and is missing content. The letter has the illustration of the Cavalry Charge at Springfield.
The final letter, dated December 8, 1862, describes Vannest's boat journey, which passed Smithland, KY, and the Cumberland River, and Paducah, KY, at the mouth of the Tennessee River. He writes about the ship wreck of the old Silver Wave, in which they hit rocks and destroyed the bottom of the boat. The Fort Wayne was summoned and saved them from the river. They then continued their trip to Memphis. The letter sheet has an illustration of the Brilliant Engagement of General Bank’s Division with the Rebel Forces under Stonewall Jackson, Aug 9th, 1862.
A wonderful trio of letters, with description of life on patrol boats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Acquired by the consignor from the Risvold collection.