A New York family's experiences in the Civil War as recorded in an archiveof 22 autograph letters by members of the extended Spicer Berry family ofCorning, New York, and nine other items, including a long signedmanuscript poem "Shiloh" by a participant in that important battle, anautograph will, four photographs of family members, including a carte-de-visite, of a soldier in uniform, a letter and form documenting the deathof another of the family's soldiers, a genealogical chart, and a sample ofhandwork for "wedding clothes," with further description below. Includedin the correspondence are...

(1) Barnaby, Nathan. Two autograph letters to Olive Berry, 1862 and 1863, one on patriotic letterhead, describing war experiences in the Virginia theater. 7 pages, approximately 400 words; accompanied by two mailing envelopes. Barnaby was Olive Berry's nephew. (2) Barnaby, Fannie. Ten autograph letters to Olive Berry, 1862 - 1865, all full of family news including mentions of Nathan Barnaby's experiences from enlistment through an account of his mortal wound at the Battle of Franklin in December, 1864, and of other family members active in the war and settling the west. 38 pages, approximately 5000 words; accompanied by seven mailing envelopes. Barnaby was Olive Berry's niece. (3) Berry, Richard W. Two autograph letters to Olive Berry, 1863 and 1864, describing war experiences in the western theater, the second written from Vicksburg. 5 pages, approximately 500 words; accompanied by two mailing envelopes. Berry was Olive Berry's son. (4) (Berry, Richard W.) Shiloh, Apr. 7th & 8th 1862 [caption title]. [In the field?, 1862]. Manuscript poem describing the battle, 17 stanzas of six lines each, written on five sheets of octavo line paper, signed "R.W.B." 'No cheer is heard at battle's close, / But all is still - a deathlike spell / Of silence - broods oer friends and foes." Folded (some beaks at folds); somewhat soiled). (5) Breese, Niles D. Four autograph letters to sister Hattie Breese, February - July, 1864, describing war experiences in the eastern theater, one written from New Bern, North Carolina. 14 pages, approximately 1250 words; accompanied by a mailing envelope and Breese's "will" appointing a friend to accept money on his behalf. The Breese's were Spicer Berry's sister's children. (6) A partly printed document, completed in manuscript 7 July 1865, and signed by Clara Barton (in a secretarial hand) informing Hattie Breese of her brother's death while a prisoner-of-war at Salisbury Prison Camp in North Carolina; with a three page autograph letter to Hattie Breese from an official offering details of Niles Breese's demise. (7) Breese, N.H. Two autograph letters to Niles Breese from his mother, March, 1864, offering concern for his well-being. 8 pages, approximately 1500 words; with photographs of Niles, Hattie, and the Breese family, a genealogical chart recording births, deaths, and marriages in the family, and a piece of Hattie's handiwork, "for her wedding clothes." (8) Letters from Charles Gillett to Lucy Berry, Olive's daughter, January 1865, and from George Meade to Olive Berry, June 1862, each with news of war experiences, either personal of other family members; accompanied by a mailing envelope and a carte-de-visite of Gillett in his uniform as a Union sergeant. Most of the letters are addressed to Olive Berry, the wife of Spicer Berry, a prominent businessman in Corning. Tying the threads together are ten letters to Olive from a niece, sister to one of the soldiers, keeping her abreast of all the family's activities. A poignant view of the effects of war on a northern family. All folded for mailing, but very good. For the archive of 31 items,

• USD 2,500.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: 51334

• bookseller: Bartleby's Books (USA)