1st NEW YORK ENGINEERS LETTER – EXCELLENT CONTENT, LAST DAYS OF THE WAR

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Item Code: 2024-653

This letter was written by William Hotchkin of the 1st NY Volunteer Engineers to his parents.  The content within is extraordinary, detailing the status of the war in its waning days from the perspective of an enlisted man near the Dutch Gap Canal along the James River.  Writing on February 24th, 1865, he asks his parents what they think of the precarious position in which the Confederates find themselves and talks of the recent fall of Charleston and Wilmington. He mentions the grand artillery volleys fired toward Petersburg and Richmond in celebration of the recent victories.  A rumor was circulating at the time among his comrades that General Sherman was shot and killed by a civilian while his campaign was making its way into the Carolinas – William hopes it is not true as it will hurt the morale and momentum of the armies in Virginia.  He outlines Lee’s supply situation and supposes that he will have to “evacuate, starve, or fight.”  According to William, many enemy deserters come into the lines and talk of Richmond’s progressive evacuation.  He speaks to one of 58 deserters to pass through his camp over the previous week who claims Virginia is being evacuated for more favorable defensive territories, but William smartly understands that Grant will pursue any attempt to vacate and reestablish.

He decries the unofficial peace delegations that pass into Richmond as a waste of time and effort, and doubts they are sanctioned by President Lincoln.  Camped just 2 miles from the front, William paints a vivid picture of the winter camp from which he is writing and the family friends with whom he crossed paths recently. Some talk of procedural army duties and personal endeavors gives a good understanding of the daily life of a US soldier in 1865 Virginia near Bermuda Hundred.

The letter is comprised of 3 written pages, front and back, measuring 9.75” x 7.75” – with the first and last pages on a larger paper folded around the single second page. With the letter is a cover with a very nice 1st N.Y. VOL. ENGINEER CORPS, Company F vignette stamp.  The postage stamp has been carefully removed, and the post mark stamp is somewhat blurry and likely reads “OLD POINT COMFORT VA MAR 10”.  The letter is addressed to William’s mother in Oswego County, New York.  The cover is neatly opened from the top and measures 5.25” x 3”.  A full, typed transcript is included.

This letter is a fascinating accounting of the final days of the war from a young soldier in a unique service branch.  A wonderful snapshot of a consequential time of the Civil War, it would make an excellent addition to any collection.  [cm][ph:L]

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