The cover and letter sheet in this great “set” show a picture of the United States Capital with our writers name and regiment underneath.
“2d Bat. 117th Reg. N.Y.S.V., Lt. Col. White comd’g
Lieut. J. T. THOMAS, Company F.”
The cover, in perfect shape, is easily worth a solid $200. It has a perfect Washington, D.C. February 26th (1863) cancelation. Together the cover and the letter sheet would make a tremendous display! The fact that Lt. John T. Thomas was killed at Fort Fisher on January 15th, 1865 adds to the historic nature of this letter set!
The content of the letter concerns the dismissal of 3 Officers that were friends of our writer. Thomas had no idea why they were being discharged. As the letter was written, the 117th were encamped outside of Washington, D.C. and Thomas describes his train ride from New York to Washington and then having to walk to the camp of the 117th “through from 6 to 12 inches of mud”!
#L139 - Price $285
Transcription:
2d Bat. 117th Reg. N.Y.S.V., Lt. Col. White comd’g
Lieut. J.T. THOMAS, Company F.
Feb. 25, 1863
Dear Uncle,
I am here in camp & with my Co. once more I got through in
time. It stopped raining before we got half way to Utica & we did not get
wet much. I then started from 10:50 reached N. York behind time & was
obliged to lay over until 11:30 But made all connections from there to
Washington got to Washington 10 am & stayed there & rested until after
dinner & walked up to camp through from 6 to 12 inches of mud & was
glad when I reached my Quarters. I assure our camp is trouble especially
our Co. Capt. S. J. Steves, Capt. Royce Co. G. & 2nd Lt. Shedd in Co. H was
ordered before the board last night & they sent in their resignations this
morning. But the trouble is we can’t find what they are sent there for as
they are three of the best Officers we have got in the Regt. If it had been
some others I should not wonder if there was more to be in the same boat
I don’t know whether I shall be lucky enough to be in myself or not if I
stay there is no telling where I shall be as I shall get a bar on my shoulder
& go into some other Co. but we shall know all about it sometime. I can’t
write anymore as I am all mixed up & don’t know anything about how I
stand nor do I care much now as our Company is all broke up. I am loving
the two best friends I had in camp. My health is about the same & the
health of the Company is good generally. Give my love to aunt & cousins &
grandmother & accept the same yourself.
From your nephew,
Write soon. J. T. Thomas
