1862 Union Soldier’s Letter – James A. Skinner, 1st New York Artillery

Description

1862 Union Soldier’s Letter – James A. Skinner, 1st New York Artillery
Offered for your consideration is a Union soldier’s letter, penned by a quartermaster sergeant in a New York artillery unit. Written from “
Camp California Va
” on “
January 19
th
1862
” and addressed to his “
Brother John
”, this letter touches on many topics, including their practice with the artillery. It reads (in part) “
I received your letter a few days ago and should have answered before but have been busy for the last two weeks making our Qrly. Returns which I finished yesterday morning and started for Washington with them … arrived in camp about 2½ P. M. the roads are verry mudy and it rained some almost all of the way there but as I had a large Rubber OverCoat I was dry when I got there but the horses looked as though they had been drawn through and through some great mud hole … It is warm weather here now … We had quite a pleasant time in W------- took dinner Willards … it seamed good to sit down to a good table again and sleep in a good bed but after all we get along well enough …
”. He continues by stating “
… I am in the tent with the Orderly Qr. Mr. & 1
st
Sgts … and we live like kings only four in a large tent … you wish to know if I get any Extra pay for writing. I think not … but I think I get pay in other ways than money as I get excused from all duty, and have a nice plaice to write … You also wish to know what my duties are in the field, simply to sight the gun and give commands … as to what kind of Projectils is to be used and what length fuse.
”. He then tells his brother that “
We went out Target shooting again Friday and made some excellent shots. we made some passable shots at a distance of four miles (down the potomac) we had the guns at an Elevation of near 45 and twice my gun in the recoil stood on the Trail without touching the wheels, then we would fire from 2½ miles down to one mile and at one time 800 yds into the water and the balls would recashay (skip over the water) for a mile and a half from where they first struck …
”. In the concluding paragraph he states that “
… I have a photograph of “Beauregard” (the old Traitor) I wish i had the original … I have not been to meeting to day on account of the rain but will have preaching when the weather will permit by the Chaplain of the 64 Reg. N.Y.V. …
”, with his return address given as “
J.A.S.
/
Battery “B” Arty
/
Care Captain R. D. Pettit
/
Alexandria
/
Va.
”. An interesting letter, especially with the references to the target practice (presumably, those who have served in an artillery unit will find it particularly interesting). There is additional news mentioned within the letter which is not presented in the above description. A nice addition to any Civil War letter collection, combining as it does military and personal news.
Cursory research indicates that
James A. Skinner
was 21 years old when he enlisted as a private on September 30, 1861 at Baldwinsville, New York. He was mustered into Battery B, 1
st
New York Light Artillery on October 1, 1861. He is listed as having been promoted to corporal, quartermaster sergeant, and 2
nd
lieutenant, though he declined the last commission. He was mustered out on September 30, 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia.
Battery B, 1
st
Regiment New York Light Artillery (Pettit’s Battery) was organized in Baldwinsville, New York on August 24, 1861. They served with the Army of the Potomac during their entire term of service. They were present at the siege of Yorktown, the battles of the Seven Days, Antietam, Fredericksburg, as well as Burnside’s infamous “Mud March”. They then participated in the battles at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and the Mine Explosion. They also served at the battles of Weldon Railroad, Popular Grove Church, Peeble’s Farm, Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run, White Oak Road, Five Forks, Appomattox Court House, and were present at the surrender of Lee’s army and the subsequent Grand Review. They were mustered out of service on June 18, 1865. Miraculously, during its term of service, Battery B lost 16 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 10 enlisted men by disease, for a total loss of 26 men.
The presently offered letter exhibits signs of expected period use, as well as subsequent long-term storage. Toning is noted across the entire surface, imparting to the paper an off-white to beige appearance. This toning is significantly more pronounced at the edges and along the folds, partially affecting the legibility of the text (see illustrations). Additional minor toning and scattered foxing spots are noted, more pronounced on the first and last pages (the inner pages were protected when stored). Several darker stains can be seen on the last page, though all of the text is still legible. The earlier mentioned folds have weakened the paper in several locations, with minor separations at a few of the junctions and at the edges (these issues could be remedied by the purchaser with small pieces of archival tape). The contrast is sharp, while the penmanship is a little lacking in skill and flow (this is especially true on the final page, as the author realized that he was running out of space). Measuring approximately 5¼ x 8⅜ inches when folded and 8⅜ x 10½ inches when laid flat, this piece would make an interesting research project for a local historian (presumably Skinner returned home after his discharge, and may be buried in the area) or a reenactment artilleryman. Worthy of further study.
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nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
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