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THBThe Philadelphia Soldier’s Archive - Capture of Richmond - Surrender of Lee - 32 Letter Archive
About Seller
1687 West Buck Hill Road
Burlington, NC 27215
United States
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About Auction
LiveFeb 28, 2026
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
Charles P. Atkinson, enlisted on 10/8/1862 at Philadelphia, PA as a Priv. and on 10/8/1862, he mustered into "F" Co. Pennsylvania 3rd Heavy Artillery. Charles was Hospitalized Fort Monroe, VA (date not stated) and was disch on 6/12/1865 at Fort Monroe, Va. Most of Charles’ time in the service was spent on detail, including serving as a hospital steward in the Post Hospital at Fortress Monroe and as an “Asst. Surgeon†aboard the Flag of Truce steamer New York. The letters are written to Phoebe, his wife. The letters frequently mention William (“Willâ€) B. Strom, a native South Carolinian who grew up on his father’s plantation in the Edgefield District, served briefly in Hampton’s Legion, and then defected and enrolled himself in the same company with Charles. Charles became fast friends with Will. The majority of these letters are written to his wife. Some strong content. We will attempt to provide excerpts of many of these letters. Coopers Creek near Camden, NJ. November 18th 1862. In part, “ I have received part of my bounty and am to receive the balance today. I have got a pass to come home on next Saturday. I expect to stay a week or perhaps more. Mr. [William B.] Strom is coming with me. you can make preparations to receive us if you like. We will be there to eat supper with you. Mr. Strom is a young man that has been reared in luxury and wealth but with all that, he is very kind and gentlemanly. He was pressed into the rebel service in March last and has never been out of camp since. He is very anxious to get out for a few days. ...†... plus, Fort Halleck near Suffolk, Virginia March 9, 1863, “We saw some gunboats in the river and we also saw the Contraband Camp near Suffolk. Here are about one thousand Negroes that have left their homes and come into this wilderness. They were holding a prayer meeting in the street of their camp when we were there and they certainly pray and exhort very well. Poor things! What is to become of them? this occurred to me as in their simplicity and fervent devotion they all kneeled in the street—a very large congregation—and with uplifted hand returned thanks to the great Creator for their deliverance from bondage. If they can feel thankful for their condition who have nothing save their liberty, ought we repine who have so much more? And if their simple faith can trust in the care of Him who has said not a sparrow can fall to the ground without His notice, should not our infinitely more enlightened faith confidently rely upon His promises of protection ...†... plus, Suffolk Hospital April 29th 1863, “I came to the hospital to take charge but I have been confined to my bed nearly all the time since I came here. ... I think if I get to Fortress Monroe I will be more likely to get my discharge than I would here ... It would be 20 dollars a month for you and the children which is more than I could make at home. ...†... plus, Fortress Monroe, July 1st 1863, “As it regards the war. I do not feel the least discouraged. I have no doubt of our ultimate success and I believe before another year rolls around, all the Copperheads may say or do to the contrary. Notwithstanding, you must not judge the patriotism of the country by the sentiments that prevail in your neighborhood. I believe there are patriots enough to save the country yet without Pennytown. For myself, I feel glad that I am in the army endeavoring to fulfill. my duty in saving our country. ...†... plus, (To his mother) On board Flag of Truce Boat, Fortress Monroe, Va., January 29th 1864, “I believe this is my thirty-seventh birthday. I can scarcely realize that I am so old. It seems but a very short time since I was a boy running round with Abbott, Garvis, and Mary. What pleasant times we used to have together. Oh how sad it makes me feel to think that they are all gone and I can see them no more ... At present I am employed on the Flag of Truce Boat as surgeon’s steward—a very good situation. We have just returned from a trip up the James River to City Point about 80 miles from here and about 40 from Richmond. We took up a few prisoners, several ladies and children going to their friends in the South. The prisoners were exchanged for some of our men (I don’t exactly know how it was effected for there is no general exchange taking place). The women and children were transferred to the rebel boat that met us at City Point. We brought back one colonel, one captain, one private and four or five citizen prisoners, among them a Quaker preacher who was sent out of the Confederacy for refusing to fight. He told me he had been in prison for nine months, some of the time in a dungeon. ... Our prisoners say they see very hard times in Richmond. ...†... plus, McClellan Hospital, March 18th 1864, “The company are permanently located now. They will not go into the fort again or anywhere else till we come home which will be in November. Captain has no connection with the fort now. He has his command all to himself under General Butler. The government has been building a rebel prison near the mouth of Hampton Creek. Our company are to guard it. The location is a very pleasant one. ... I see Lincoln has made another call for 200,000 more men. I suppose the boys at home will begin to cringe and quake. It don’t disturb me in the least. I would rather be here than all the time standing in terror of being sent. My term is almost over. ... plus, Military Prison [near Hampton, Virginia], Virginia, June 9, 1864, “ I am kept busy most of the time. There are about seven hundred men that I have to attend to and among them there is always more or less requiring attention. Our Daniel was quite fortunate in getting clear of the draft. It is believed here there will soon be another unless the war is closed up.... You say you think it a very cruel way of burying the poor soldiers but I don’t know that there is anything cruel about it. But it does no doubt appear so to you at home. But we see so much here that hardly anything appears cruel to us. ... they have a nice burial place and each soldier’s grave is marked with a headboard with his name, regiment, and date of his death written upon it and when cold weather comes the friends are allowed to come and take them home if they wish. ..., plus, Camp Hamilton, Virginia, April 5th 1865, “I suppose there has been a general rejoicing over the capture of Richmond there as well as here though I reckon you didn’t make so big a noise. It was the noisiest time here I ever heard. We have so many things here to make a big noise with and I assure you, everything was let loose. We got the news about ten o’clock on Monday and Oh! what a time we had. The cannon boomed from the Fort, the bells rang, the steamers whistled, drums beat, men cheered, while the poor rebels were the very picture of despair. I could not help but pity them. They had to witness all. those demonstrations of joy over the fall if their Capitol to them the source of the deepest grief. ... Our battery that has been so fortunate up to this time has met with a sad, sad calamity. Thirteen of our men were lost on the steamer General Lyon that was burned off Cape Hatteras as few days ago. They had been to Wilmington and were on their way back. There was over six hundred on board and only about 25 of which were saved. The fire originated in a barrel of kerosene oil and the flames spread so rapidly that nothing could be done. There were sixteen of our men on board. Three of them are among the saved. Among the passengers was over one hundred women and children—not one of which was saved. They were refugees that this cruel war had driven from their homes and were coming North in quest of another. There was also a large number of discharged soldiers on their way home and some that had just escaped from the horrid prisons of the South. Taken altogether, it is one of the saddest casualties that has happened for a long time. It happened about 100 miles from here. Several of our men had families....†(for reference, ... https://www.thehistoryreader.com/us-history/the-tragic-fire-and-sinking-of-the-general-lyon-steamer) ... plus, Camp Hamilton, Va., April 15, 1865, “Well, I suppose you will have heard before this reaches you that the rebel army in Virginia has been captured with General Lee or what was left of it after they evacuated Richmond. This puts the principal army of the rebels out of the way and there will not be much trouble in disposing of the balance so we may reasonably look for peace in a short time. I hope to be home by the 4t of July. ...Our boys had a gay time when the news of the surrender of Lee was received. It was about 12 o’clock at night when the news came. The drums commenced beating and the bands to play. Everybody got up to see what the matter was. The whole country was illuminated with bonfires. Everybody appeared happy. Old soldiers grasped each other by the hand ejaculating this is what we have been suffering to obtain. The war will soon be over now, &c. Even the rebels appeared to be sort of satisfied with it as conducive to ending this bloody war. ...†... plus, And finally, there is the Discharge, 8-1/2†x 11†for Charles P. Atkinson, June 12, 1865 at Fort Monroe, Va.
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