North Carolina Confederate Writes Home

About Auction

Live

Raynors Spring Americana Auction - Feb 28 Par...

By Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions

Feb 28, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-02-28 10:00:00 2026-02-28 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Raynors Spring Americana Auction - Feb 28 Part1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/raynors-historical-auctions/raynors-spring-americana-auction---feb-28-part1-22414
Fascinating Americana Auction offering item in all periods of American history., from colonial through WWII. The items are offered as Autographs, Broadsides, Civil Wat Relics, Civil War Diaries, Confederate items. Political, Presidential, 20th Century Israel, Early Sports. Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions bob@hcaauctions.com

View Full Catalog (308)

• Lot Description
  A very fine group of nine letters, dated between Feb. 13 and Sep. 23, 1864, from Confederate soldier Joseph J. Oliver of the 61st Regiment North Carolina Troops, to his mother, Penelope. In each case, Oliver writes from Petersburg, Virginia, and shares much detail of the months leading up to the Union campaign to take that city which lasted from June of 1864 to March of 1865 and cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides. In very small part: ‘ March 8th, 1[8]64… The regiment has been down to Suffolk, and has got back to Ivor Station where they are, or have been on picket. I haven't heard the particulars of the raid which they made on Suffolk… Let me know what you are going to do with the Confederate money you have on hand… March 29th, 64… I expect to get a furlough the last of May or the first of June, though I [hear] they will stop giving them by the summer… April 20th 1864… They are expecting a big fight out about Richmond before a great while. I hope I shall not be in it as I think our regiment will have to stay at Blackwater it being a very important place, the Col. Will not let me got to the Company, and as long as I can stay here I don't think I shall be in any danger… Ivor Station, May 3d 1864… I arrived here safe yesterday evening with all the baggage that was left in my charge. The companies left here had just got back from Suffolk again, they have to go down there nearly every week, our company is still at Franklin, though the Colonel has detained me here as he has been trying to get Gen. [Thomas L.] Clingman to order them here… There is no new[s] yet, but this week or the next will decide a great battle. It is reported that our troops is now in possession of Washington. There is no yankees about here, nearer than Suffolk, & not many there…' The next letter in the series, dated July 11 at ‘Front line in Entrenchments near Petersburg Va', is the first to be written after the outset of the Petersburg Campaign, and sheds light on the military situation faced by the Confederate defenders: ‘As I shall probably have a chance to send you a letter to be mailed at Stony Creek, as the train will not go out any more until the yankees have been driven off, they are afraid the yankees will capture the train as they are not a great ways off from the Road [the capture of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad was a primary Union objective of the campaign]… We haven't had a man killed or wounded now in a week or two. It is reported that the yankees are going back, as Gen. [Jubal] Early is invading Maryland, he is in possession of Martinsburg , Harpers Ferry & another little town. We are in much better spirits than we were a while back. I heard the yankees had been to Kinston [North Carolina], I fear they have stolen my Colt, & if they haven't I expect our soldiers will steel him… it has been reported that the yankees (Burnsides Corps) had taken Wilmington, we were afraid that this was true but have since heard better. I am some what inclined to think this campaign will end the war & it is the opinion of a great many. Tell Allick the yankees have possession of our old camp, & their breast work runs this side of Mr. Hare's House, & our runs along by the old Hospital which was occupied by the sick men of the 8th [North Carolina] Regt or at least the old house that we had to pass by in the field to go to the town, they continue to shell the town yet nearly all of the Citizens have moved to the country… Don't be uneasy about me for I shall not die until my time comes…' He continues in the next letter, dated July 24: ‘...There is nothing new about Richmond & Petersburg, I suppose Gen [John Bell] Hood has driven Sherman back by capturing his second line of breast works & twenty five pieces artillery; there is no prospect of the yankees leaving here, nor not much as I can see of our charging them away… I am not with the Co. but belong to the Pioneer Corps, we have to work on the breastworks that are to be done, I am glad to day that we all get enough to eat… I think we will go back to N.C. as soon as this campaign ends, if it should end the war, which I hope it will, I think there will be a change not before next fall, for the best or worst, God only knows which, but I hope for the better… P.S. Sharpshooting is kept up night & day & also some firing from artillery, & the mortar guns. I will send Bro. a list of the casualties in our company…' Here Oliver lists the names of eight of his comrades, one of whom was killed outright, a second of whom died of his wounds, and describes the nature of the wounds suffered by the rest (‘in arm', ‘toe shot off', ‘in side', etc.) The final letter in the group comes on Sep. 23, in part: ‘...There has been nothing of importance occurred around Petersburg of importance since I last wrote. Gen. Early has been defeated in the [Shenandoah] Valley, and has fallen back some distance, it is rumored that he has again fallen back bringing a good many prisoners. I hope this rumor will prove false, I cannot believe it is true, I am almost afraid to write anything concerning the war, for fear that it will not pass the inspector at Kinston… I don't think this war can last longer than this year for both armies are in too much action to last much longer… [all sic]' Much more good, personal content besides. All of the letters are in good condition, showing original mailing folds and minor toning. A fine archive worthy of further research! During the period covered by these letters, the 61st North Carolina was heavily engaged at Second Drewry's Bluff, Chaffin's Farm, Bermuda Hundred, Cold Harbor and Fort Harrison.
• Payment & Auction Policies

  • Available payment options

    
• Buyer's Premium
  • 27.00 %