MUSEUM QUALITY
AMERICANA
COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH
THE FINEST ORIGINAL SOLDIER'S LETTERS AND ARTIFACTS
Writing from Camp Belger in Baltimore on May 2, 1863, Nicholas Sheldon, a private in Company A of the 150th of the New York Infantry, writes a girlfriend about some of the excitement he has had since enlisting.
· “Day before yesterday there was a colored major passing through here when some of the citizens
caught him and tore off his shoulder straps and pounded him considerable when one of our Lt.
arrested them and had them put in the fort to await their trial.”
· “Yesterday afternoon as I was walking up Baltimore St. I met a lady I should presume by the style
that she was rather Secesh. She was very afraid she should touch me so she ketches up her dress and
steps clear off one side & of course had business the same way so she was obliged to take the street or
get her dress soiled by touching me.”
The first part of the letter deals with Sheldon’s ingenuity in “escaping” from Staten Island!
· “I presume you would like to know where I had kept myself since last fall well I will explain in as few
words as possible after enlisting in the 5th Regt. last fall the Col. came to me and said he would like to
have me help him recruit a new Regt. and he would either give me a good position in the new or else I
might go on to the old so three of us opened an office on the corner of Bd way and Fulton St. and
recruited 89 men for him. When we were ordered down on Staten Island when they told me I had been
transferred to the new one so I went to the Col. and told him I would like to go on to my Regt. He said
I could not so the consequence was that I took French leave. I run the guard and went to the north end
of the Island where I found it all guarded by Soldiers and could not pass them so I had to make believe
I was wounded. I made a sling and put my arm in it and started and came up where the guards were
posted when they told me they were not allowed to let soldiers pass but they would have to let me pass
as I was wounded. I then went to Uncle Bens and from there to Canastota where I remained until the
first of march when I started for Uncle Judes and told him I would like to go on the 150. He wrote to
Col. Ketchem and arranged it so I could come into this Regt. without any trouble. I like it very much
here so far and hope I shall continue to do until I get my discharge. We are having gay times here at
present but we do not know how long it will last. I suppose it depends mostly upon Hooker if he should
get defeated we probably should be ordered to the front immediately if not we probably shall stay
here all summer.”
The letter is four pages in easily read nice dark ink with a full I.D. It comes with a nice envelope with a blue Baltimore May 4th, 1862 cancellation. A super letter for the black heritage collector, the 150th New York enthusiast or someone who just wants a colorful content letter!
#L148 - Price $225
Transcription:
Camp Belger May 2, ‘63
Friend Rebecca
I hope you will excuse me for taking the liberty of writing to
you without your permission but never the less I will take the liberty
hoping in due time to hear from you. I presume you would like to know
where I had kept myself since last fall well I will explain in as few words
as possible after enlisting in the 5th Regt. last fall the Col. came to me
and said he would like to have me help him recruit a new Regt. and he
would either give me a good position in the new or else I might go on to
the old so three of us opened an office on the corner of Bd way and Fulton
St. and recruited 89 men for him. When we were ordered down on Staten
Island when they told me I had been transferred to the new one so I went
to the Col. and told him I would like to go on to my Regt. He said I could
not so the consequence was that I took French leave. I run the guard and
went to the north end of the Island where I found it all guarded by Soldiers
and could not pass them so I had to make believe I was wounded. I made
a sling and put my arm in it and started and came up where the guards
were posted when they told me they were not allowed to let soldiers pass
but they would have to let me pass as I was wounded. I then went to Uncle
Bens and from there to Canastota where I remained until the first of march
when I started for Uncle Judes and told him I would like to go on the 150.
He wrote to Col. Ketchem and arranged it so I could come into this Regt.
without any trouble. I like it very much here so far and hope I shall
continue to do until I get my discharge. We are having gay times here at
present but we do not know how long it will last. I suppose it depends
mostly upon Hooker if he should get defeated we probably should be
ordered to the front immediately if not we probably shall stay here all
summer. Yesterday afternoon as I was walking up Baltimore St. I met a
lady I should presume by the style that she was rather Secesh. She was
very afraid she should touch me so she ketches up her dress and steps clear
off one side & of course had business the same way so she was obliged to
take the street or get her dress soiled by touching me. Day before yesterday
there was a colored major passing through here when some of the citizens
caught him and tore off his shoulder straps and pounded him considerable
when one of our Lt. arrested them and had them put in the fort to await
their trial. As there is no news of any consequences I must close. My kind
regards to your Father and Mother and the rest of the family. I hope to
hear from you soon.
I remain as ever your Friend,
N. Sheldon
P.S. Direct your letter to Co. A, 150 Regt. Baltimore, MD.
