MUSEUM QUALITY
AMERICANA
SPECIALIZING IN ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR MEMORABILIA
6th South Carolina Infantry – William Coleman Describes the Battle Fredericksburg, Writing on Extremely Rare Regimental Stationery from the WASHINGTON ARTILLERY OF NEW ORLEANS! – “THEY ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO DRIVE OLD STONEWALL BACK BUT WERE MET EVERY TIME WITH A STORM OF LEADEN HAIL”
We have had a number of William Coleman letters and kept this one in our collection because of the extremely rare stationery he used, and the great content. Coleman probably had to borrow a sheet of paper from one of his New Orleans friends. Since he wasn’t one of the Washington Artillery Tigers, he did not use the imprinted side as his first page. The gorgeous imprint showing the Washington Artillery motto… a Tiger, with the words “Try Us” below it, and in the top center: “Battalion Washington Artillery” is on the back. The letter is written in pencil and is headed, “Camp near Fredericksburg Tuesday, Dec. 16th, 1862”.
Here is the content:
While Coleman just signs this letter “W. C.” we will supply a photocopy of another of his letters that he signs “W. Coleman” as positive proof. A “one of a kind” opportunity as we have never seen an example of this rare stationery.
#L12-16-62SC - Price $750
Transcription:
Here is the content:
• My Dear Mother, I hastily write you a short note to let you (know) that I am still alive and kicking. Although the enemy commenced crossing the river on last Thursday morning, the big fight has not come off yet.
• The enemy have a large force on this side, but as we have the best position and they will have to advance across a very broad bottom, they seem loath to do so.
• On Saturday morning we had pretty hard fighting on our right and left. I witnessed the fight on the right. The Yanks advanced apparently with the determination to run right over us, but unfortunately for them they ran against a Stonewall and we repulsed with heavy loss.
• THEY ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO DRIVE OLD STONEWALL BACK BUT WERE MET EVERY TIME WITH A STORM OF LEADEN HAIL which sent them helter skelter over the field.
• I was about a mile off on a high hill with nothing at all to obstruct the view, and I assure you it was a grand sight to see the Yanks advance in three beautiful lines, but how much more grand it was to see them break and run for dear life.
• There is a good deal of shelling this morning which may end in a musket fight, but I hardly think it will. The fight on the left was also very hard. Kershaw, Gregg, & T. R. R. Cobb were engaged. The two latter were killed.
• Kershaw's Regt. suffered severely. I would write more but Mr. Adams has started, and I will have to run after him. I am quite well. My love to all. Good Bye, with much love, W. C.
While Coleman just signs this letter “W. C.” we will supply a photocopy of another of his letters that he signs “W. Coleman” as positive proof. A “one of a kind” opportunity as we have never seen an example of this rare stationery.
#L12-16-62SC - Price $750
Transcription: