The Officer Advises The Family Of The Death Corporal Eben F. Lawrence

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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

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• Lot Description
  The Soldier writes eight letters home. After he killed, his friend writes two letters to his family.Eben F. Lawrence enlisted on 7/2/1861 as a Priv. on 7/2/1861, and mustered into "C" Co. Massachusetts 16th Infantry. Edan was wounded 5/3/1863 Chancellorsville, VA., later died of wounds on 6/10/1863 at Aquia Creek, VA. Died a Corpl#1 Four pages, datelined;Fortress Monroe, October 18, 1861 . In part, “I like it down here very much although it is very warm in Dixie Land. There is about ten thousand troops here and more coming every day. ... There is heavy firing at Sewall’s Point today. ... Albert Hartwell deserted last Wednesday. Left his post when on picket guard. He is the fellow that stole the horse from Brigham. ... From our camp it takes fifty men from every regiment to go as guards. Our station is at Fox Hill Road. ....”#2 Two pages, damaged right side, datelined, Camp Hamilton, Fort Monroe, December 23, 1861 to his sister. In part, “The 20th [New York] Regiment had a skirmish with the Secesh last evening. They advanced (the secesh) within 5 miles of our camp. The 20th is camped beside us. They were out on a scout & the rebels attacked them. They were negroes—two companies of infantry and three companies of white cavalry. They took two of our men prisoners and wounded three. Don’t know how many we killed of them. We are going to clean them out before long. ...”#3 Two pages, datelined; Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, April 27th 1862 to mother. In part, “We are busily engaged setting out trees and flowers around our tents. We have the best and neatest-looking camp in the field. We have about twenty peacocks and hens in camp. We caught them in the woods. There is any quantity of wild game around here. ...”#4 Four pages, datelined; Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, Camp near James River, July 31st 1862 to his father. In part, “Bell’s letter dated the 25th came to hand yesterday informing me that you wished me to inform you of the particulars of the late battles. .. June 29th (Sunday) about daybreak the whole army was in motion. Our regiment was ordered to the front to guard there until the artillery got fully underway. It being about sunrise when we was ordered to march in retreat which we did in great haste. As we passed the rear camp grounds, there laid strewed in every direction thousands of dollars worth of government property such as clothing, ammunition, and forage which of course you and all other hard working men will have to help pay for out of your hard earnings so you see that that is the way this war is going on. ... the rebels came down to City Point and stole 500 head of cattle which will give the rebels a good feast. So you see that we have got some good generals. They are in once sense feeding the secesh army. It is not my intention to write discouraging letters but sir, I think if there is not something done within a month, instead of the rebel capitol falling, some of the Union cities will be in the hands of the rebels. ... The first days fight—June 29th—was at Savage Station which lasted about 6 hours. Our regiment was not engaged. I understand that it was a hard fight. There were a great many killed. The next days fight was at White Oak Swamp [Glendale]. That lasted about 8 hours. Such an roaring of artillery and musketry I never [heard] such ungodly noise before. Our post was behind a Virginia fence which was some cover for us. the bullets whistled and so did the grape and canister shot over our heads every second. .. The right wing of our regiment suffered very badly. Our colonel [Powell Tremlett Wyman] was killed at this battle. We loved him—everyone of us—as we loved our life and it was a sad blow for this regiment. The battle was kept up until eight o’clock P. M. We took quite a number of prisoners ...During the night we could hear the wounded screeching and groaning, Secesh and Union. ... (remainder is missing).#5 Four pages, datelined; Headquarters 16th Regt. M. V., Camp near Falmouth, Va., December 18th 1862, to his father. In part, “As I have a few spare moments, I thought that I would write you a few lines informing you of my soldiering the last seven days which have been very hard indeed—the hardest that I have yet seen. The 10th [of December] orders came to get ready and prepare for battle. At 4 o’clock everything was arranged. No sooner than had we got ready when the signal gun bawled a loud roar for the battle to commence. Directly after the signal gun’s load report died away, they commenced and such a roaring of artillery was never heard before. Our division was ordered about two miles from near a piece of woods where we remained all day and night waiting for orders to move elsewhere ... We remained by the river side until Sunday morning [14 December] when we crossed. Then we marched up to the front and formed line of battle and laid down on the wet ground so the Rebs could not see us. In a few moments orders came for two companies to go and hold the line of advance. Companies A & K were the first to go. Co. A had 6 men wounded. Co. K had 7 wounded, 2 killed. The companies that then had to go were Co’s I & E. E had 1 wounded and none killed. Co. I had one wounded. ... About 4 o’clock (Sunday) the rebels hoisted a flag of truce when the firing stopped on both sides, laid down their guns and met each other half way and [had] quite a little chat. They wanted to exchange tobacco for coffee. Quite a number of us let them have our portions of coffee for tobacco. They say that they want this war could be settled without fighting. I tell you what—it is not very friendly to meet them rebels or even to have them meet us. We would meet them half way from the outer lines, shake hands and chat a spell, bid each other goodbye, and then run back and get our guns and fire to each other. ... Monday night we had to go on the advance lines again and it was sad to see our dead lay scattered all over the ground in such large numbers. I laid [with]in a few feet of many a brother soldier. I could stretch out my foot and touch some of the dead, they were so near me. What a night that was. Dear father, a man cannot find words to express the horrors of war. It is dreadful. But alas! such is the voice of many. ... [remainder of letter is missing]#6 Four pages, datelined; Camp near Falmouth, Va., January 25th 1863 to mother. In part, “ The soil is so slippery and muddy that it is very tiresome to march. We are still living in cloth houses—a soldier knows no other. I have not stepped into a house for eight months. Think it would seem some like home to go and sit down by a good fire these cold nights. ... I have seen so much hardship since I enlisted that I do not care for nothing nor anybody hardly. ...”#7 Two pages, datelined; Camp near Falmouth, Va., February 16, 1863 to his mother. In part, “After a tour of three days picket duty which was rather hard, the soil being so muddy that is fatigued us very much indeed & after being on guard three days and nights in succession, rather tired and sleep ... I will tell you where and how I became acquainted with her. As I was walking out one evening when at Camp Cameron, Mass., I saw standing out in the front yard gazing on a beautiful flowerbed and I says, ‘Miss, will you be kind enough to present me with one of those flowers?’ ‘Oh yes, to be sure. I like to give flowers to soldiers’ ... After a short conversation, I left and returned to camp. she giving me her card, and after two or three ... She visited me quite often and the day that the regiment left Camp Cameron she accompanied me to the cars. ...”#8 Four pages, datelined; Camp Near Falmouth, Virginia, April 16, 1863 to cousin. In part, “I tell you, cousin, that this war is not going to be crushed out this year. Folks at the North does not know how the war is working. If they did, we soldiers would see a great difference. You cannot tell anything by papers. I see the Boston, Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington papers every day and I see by them that the press smoothes everything over to blind folks at home. ... look at our fleet of iron-clad gun boats of Charleston. What did we accomplish there? The loss of six million dollars — that is all. Some very strange and even startling juxtapositions are occasionally found in the record of the Rebellion, but in order to crush this rebellion we have got to have different men to lead us on to battle. I think, cousin, in a few days you will hear of one of the bloodiest battles that has yet been fought. The Army of the Potomac is about to make a move with its noble and brave commander at the head who fears no danger. If he gets the Rebs started, they will have to suffer. ...”The Following Two Letters Written To Eben’s Mother And Sister Regarding Eben’s DeathHenry S. Nutting enlisted on 7/2/1861 as a 1st Sergt. and was mustered into "C" Co. Massachusetts 16th Infantry.He transferred out on 7/11/1864, into "E" Co. Massachusetts 11th Infantry.He was disch on 10/8/1864. He was listed as: Wounded 5/3/1863 Chancellorsville, VA., Wounded 5/15/1864. Promotions: 2nd Lieut 12/8/1862, 1st Lieut 7/3/1863 Capt 1/10/1864 (As of Co. B).Henry Nutting was a friend of Eben Lawrence, was himself wounded at Chancellorsville and with Eben at the hospital at Aquia Creek where he died. Both of these letters were written in early August of 1863. apparently Henry’s leg wound was not so serious as to prevent him from rejoining his regiment after Eben’s death and before Gettysburg. Fortunately he managed to go through Gettysburg unscathed despite the toll it took on others in the regiment. #1. Three page letter written by Nutting written to his friend Eben Lawrences’ sister Isabells, datelined Camp of the 16th Mass Vols., Near Beverly Ford Va., August 4th, 1863. In large part, “I intended to have got home when I was wounded but as luck would have it, I did not. I left in Washington the things I had belonging to Eben with with my cousin Fred Nutting, he promising to send them to you. I lately had a letter from him saying he had sent them to you. ... This day I sent to the Adjt. Gen'l of the U. S. Army at Washington D. C. the final statements of Eben F. Lawrence and by going to him, you can get the balance due for you - l mean the balance due Eben of course. It is for you or your Father or Mother. The doctor's name that had charge of the ward that Eben died in was Bantrum-belongs to the 115th Penn. Infantry Regt. ... Eben was buried in the burial ground at Aquia Creek Hospital. That place is now in the hands of the rebels or in their lines. ... My wound has got well or nearly well and I don't know how soon before I may catch another junk of lead ... PLUS, #2. A four page letter written to Eben’s mother, Datelined, Camp of the 16th near Brandy Ford, Va. August 8th 1863, in part, “Since you wrote your letter I have written to Isabella telling her about all you required to know in your letter. Eben died in the night. I was not by his side when he drawed his last for I was wounded myself and could not get around very well. He gave me his money two or three days before he died and told me to send or give it to Isabella. ... He was out of his head occasionally the day before he died. ... The last day of his life he suffered considerable. I think he was decently buried in a good, fine coffin with a head board of his name, company and regiment he belonged to put up This grouping offers seven letters written by at the head of his grave. Everything was done that could be done under the circumstances for his welfare. ...”
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