IMPORTANT ARCHIVE OF LETTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF CAPTAIN LUIS EMILIO OF THE BLACK 54TH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, COMPANY E.

IMPORTANT ARCHIVE OF LETTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF CAPTAIN LUIS EMILIO OF THE BLACK 54TH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, COMPANY E. This lot consists of the contents of a dome top document box with leather veneer & cloth liner measuring about 15” x 9” x 5”. An 1880 dated label states this little trunk was made in 1840 for Luis’s mother in Malaga, Spain. The trunk contains about 50 letters dating from the 1830’s to the 1840’s to various Emilio family members, mostly Luis’s parents, in Spain and in Salem, MA. These letters are all in Spanish, no transcription was attempted. There is a Civil War era CDV album containing 20 images, all of the Emilio family starting with Luis’s grandparents, his parents, his siblings and other relatives, most identified. The last image is of Emilio in uniform when commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. of the 54th MA. Also laid into the album is a July 1862 dated CDV of Sarah D. Gilbert. There is a 10kt gold 1.25” cross also found in the trunk. There are five other CDVs’ of family members and 13 hard images in cases of which most are daguerreotypes & ambrotypes of the Emilio children including a 1/6th plate tintype of Luis in uniform probably taken July 24th in New Bern, North Carolina. Luis describes sitting for an image on that day and his mother responds in a letter about a black spot on his lip which Luis states is 9 months of mustache growth. This image shows Luis seated wearing a four-button sack coat wearing his enlisted belt with US buckle, cap box and bayonet visible. He is wearing a kepi with a rain cover which he also describes in one of his letters. The trunk also contains 23 school related documents including a letter of recommendation from his principle, an invitation and menu for an 1867 private dinner in honor of Capt. Emilio’s service by his fellow Officers of the 54th MA. There is also a church program from Christmas of 1863 from Emilio’s church, St. Peters. There is a detailed memo book that lists most every officer of the 54th MA along with a few colored soldiers with detailed biographies that possibly were used in Emilio’s history of the 54th MA which was published in 1891. The Civil War archive of Luis Emilio’s letters written home to his parents or siblings total 128 letters, mostly four-page but many longer. The letters are fairly well spaced throughout his service with no real gaps detailing most every action he was involved in from the formation of the 23rd MA to his discharge from the 23rd and commission in the 54th MA. This is among the greatest letter groupings of a Civil War soldier ever to come to market. Not only are the letters in overall fine condition; Luis had a beautiful script that is easily read. He writes vivid, detailed accounts of every aspect of soldier life. When you start reading these letters from day 1 they read like a book and it is hard to stop. Much of this material is not published even in his memoirs as much was not politically appropriate for the Victorian times. Interested parties should view and read this archive at length. The following are a few quotes from these Luis Emilio letters: 11/61 From Camp to his Mother: Luis is only 16 when writing his mother “I have to break to you the news that feeling it to be duty to my country and to posterity have enlisted in the Grand Army…My dear momma you do not a greater sacrifice than thousands of American mothers are doing cheerfully and you have the consolation that I am in one of the finest Companies in the services where we are all acquainted and friends. Do not regret the step that I have taken with a full perception of all consequences …if I should fall, would you not recall my memory with pride?” 11/23/61 Annapolis: In response to his sister’s letter about a local friend who will not join the Army: “Many sick and wounded soldiers…soldiering is no boys play…has no idea of the hardships we have to endure”. 12/8/61 In a letter to his mother “I am fully aware that (enlisting) father denied himself for some time, perhaps forever, a little assistance or companionship that I might afford, or my part giving up some of the most important years of my life in which I was to prepare myself to get my living and the chances of being cut down in the prime of life. All this I thought of time and time again but when I put in the balance of the imperative call of my country for her sons to come forth…to support the government…I felt in my heart that I could not conscientiously refuse the call”. 1/4/62 Annapolis: Luis has been in the Army 3 months and is sending his pay to his father to do with as he wishes. “…peculiar circumstances that the first money I ever earned in my life was toiling and laboring under the hardships of a soldier life?” 1/19/62 On board Schooner Highlander off Hatteras inlet: In a letter to his father Luis details a terrible storm that capsized several other schooners carrying troops with many men saved but others drowned. “I shall never forget”. 2/18/62 Camp Foster on Roanoke Island: Luis details the battle with loss of 30 killed and 100 wounded, 3,000 rebels captured “Contrabands are coming in every day from the mainland…” 3/22/62 Luis sends home a Major’s commission from the 30th No Carolina, he found as curiosity he would send home many souvenirs after this. 4/62 New Bern, NC: “In New Bern all is quiet…stores open…the destitute are fed and many colored folks there receive employment”. 8/9/62 New Bern, NC: Luis had seen constant fighting and skirmishing and death. “…I may never again see you…Sometimes when by myself the thought comes to me that never again I may witness a mother’s love, a father’s affection and brother and sisters tender greetings. Never feel the quiet peaceful influences of home but now in the beginning of early manhood be cut off, and my bones lay unburied in a strange land, no one to mourn or say a kind word; or return a maimed, crippled wreck, a shadow of what I was, to be a burden in the community…but enough of this…trust in providence”. He describes in many of his letters the routine going-ons in camp, the news of battles won and lost and about so many friends in the military and what they are doing. Luis, when he writes to his father, tells him more because he knows he served six years in the Spanish Army before coming to America and will understand what Luis is seeing and feeling. 9/5/62 Luis has been promoted to Sergeant after being a Corporal a scant 12 days, he is only 17 years old 10/27/62 In a four-page letter to his mother Luis describes himself as an “old soldier” with over a year of service. Luis comments on the lack of spirit some new recruits have who are only coming in for the $200-300 bounties 12/24/62 Luis has seen much fighting and killing, he states that all plantations in this vicinity are deserted and at the battle of Kinston 500 rebels were captured. 1/4/63 “Thank god I was preserved through the terrible fire at the Battle of Whitehall, deeply we can sympathize therefore with those who have lost loved ones. It was terrible to see the poor boys for a few moments before marched at our side with the vigor of life. The people are beginning to realize the terrible losses we have suffered since the war commenced….almost every fireside adorns a vacant seat.”. 2/18/63 Emilio’s last letter while written as a member of the 23rd, when on troop transport from Beufort, NC to now laying off Port Royal, SC, Luis describes in this letter the other vessels in the harbor and the porpoises playing around his ship in the calm weather. There is a 2 month gap in the letters until June 2nd. In the time lapse Luis has been back to MA to accept his commission into the 54th MA. 6/2/63 On troop transport from Boston “…enthusiastic reception of the 54th through Boston…the Regiment behaved with credit, the regiment embarked immediately…Frederick Douglas and other gentlemen accompanied us down the harbor…”. 7/15/63 “We can plainly see the rebel pickets and know the extensive forts on the island above us. The main object at present is to take Fort Wagner on Morris Island…Morris Island once taken batteries can be planted in the rear of Ft. Sumter and the other Forts can be reduced…Each day our men have been attacked and driven in so it is a matter of some responsibility to be in command, besides my men have never been on picket before…all went well while my company was there until 10pm when we were attacked and fell back on the reserve. We moved back a short distance and formed a new line and again were attacked, 1am. Retired, and everything was quiet until morning” 7/16/63 3pm “An eventful day!…Awakened by musketry I mounted a pile of bread boxes and could see the flashes of the guns the whole length of the line…Pawnee opened with her guns…the drums of the different regiments sound the long roll…In less than 10 minutes our pickets began to come in on the double quick; wounded men limped down the road…Sergeant severely injured….a few moments more whizz, zip-zip, bullets and shells, fortunately high. The men stood up well, no dodging that I saw as I passed in rear of the line…the rebel shelling however did not last long, for soon the First CT Battery came up and opened fire…our whole regiment was sent to the front on picket duty and reoccupied the original line…many have changed their opinions in Negro bravery. Company H lost 25 men”. So ended our first action. 7/18/63 This letter was posted the afternoon of July 18th. “Everyone is confident that Ft. Wagner and Sumter must fall…it will be glorious…”.Little did Luis know of the famous night attach to some take place. 7/22/63 Morris Island: In this 4-page letter to his parents “Through the grace of providence I pass safely through the terrible assault of Ft. Wagner last Saturday night…where our regt. was fearfully cutup, we lost our beloved Col. Shaw, killed on the parapet….nearly 300 men killed, wounded and missing in all”. “We had the advance…were not allowed to fire a gun, and charge clear up the fort but it was of no use. Terrific fire from Wagner, Sumpter, Johnson, Moultry and Cummings Point concentrated was too much for us and we had to fall back….I’m in command of the Regt. I am the only Captain to escape without being touched….the men are in fair spirits.” 7/30/63 Morris Island: In an 8-page letter to his sister “…it is real sad for me to receive letter to boys in the company that are dead and others missing and to have the painful duty to redirect them to their friends at home…” 8/12/63 In an 8-page letter to his mother “we are pleased with the just praise awarded to the 54th in the Northern papers which I see speak in the highest terms of the regiment and hear even a sentiment among the white regiments are much changed for the better”. 9/12/63 “The whole of Morris Island now in our possession now having been evacuated by the rebels September 7th”. 9/13/63 “Many men killed in fatigue duty in extreme front of Wagner putting up sand between themselves and the fort. Quite dangerous duty and quite a number killed and wounded. Before the place was evacuated…Our men do not wish to accept the $10 a month which is all that can be paid by law at present, the government I have no doubt will rectify this when Congress meets in December. We hope the officer’s will be paid without waiting for the men as we are sadly in want of money. Everything is very high and you know and officer has to buy everything he eats…”. Also in this letter Luis refers to “The straps”. It is possible he is referring to the theater made Captains shoulder straps made from palm fronds edging and bars that are in the previous lot. 10/2/63 “I think some time may lapse before active operations are again resumed…yesterday I received a splendid photograph of Col. Shaw from his father…” 10/19/63 Col. Hallowell looks real spry after recovering from 6 wounds from Ft. Wagner. “Farragut may be put in command of Navy to coordinate Army and Navy bombardment like Port Hudson and Vicksburg”. 10/24/63 “Corporal Jones of my company has just been in to see me-bringing the pictures of his wife…and his son, a fat little chub of 7 years for me to inspect (Army phrase). The corporal is a very intelligent man from Albany, NY-his occupation a barber, the corporal is and obliging man so he comes in voluntarily every morning …shaves me and fixes my hair in the most approved style all the while amusing me with his talk…” 11/5/63 “Mrs. Robert Shaw-widow of our consecrated Col. Has made quite a present to the men of the regt. …beautiful little books of the gospel all bound of different morocco’s, the flyleaf is pasted in printed form to this effect “Presented to (here the name is written ) of the 54th MA by Mrs. Robert G. Shaw””. 11/12/63 “Our Chaplin a Mr. Harrison of Pittsfield, MA (colored) …intelligent and fine man”. 11/19/63 “You must remember that officer’s are allowed a servant by the government who pay him regular wages and allows rations. Now I have a very nice boy, he is an enlisted man, but is unable to perform a regular soldiers duty. So I have him with me, he attends to everything. Black my boots and shoes…cleans my swords, belt and pistol”. 11/29/63 “Yesterday was an eventful day for in the morning our regiment received 7 conscripts from MA. They are a good lot of men.” 12/17/63 “Major Sturgis from MA has been here with funds provided by our whole State to pay our regiment…that portion of their rightful pay, refused by the US government. The men however unanimously refused to accept one single cent from MA preferring to wait until the government pays them their just due, as other soldiers. I do not blame them in this matter, although I know that their families must suffer in the meantime.” 12/21/63 “We were all much pleased to peruse the President’s message which came by the last mail from the north. The amnesty which he gives forth to the people of the South will doubtless carry considerable sensation among the leaders of the rebellion and will go far towards numbing the rotten mass that styles itself the Southern Confederacy. May this last proclamation be speedily conductive of as much good as Mr. Lincoln’s Emancipation Act.”. “The men refused the part pay tendered them by MA. They declare they must have full pay from government”. 12/27/63 In a 4-page letter written to his mother he describes another great minstrel show that the men performed on a weekly basis to great the delight of the officer’s and men “Do not be troubled about our assaulting Fort Sumpter. I don’t think it will be attempted again…if all the sentiments of the women were made public, even the self sacrificing Spartan mother & sisters of older times would not be fit to “hold a candle” to those who have this war so cheerfully yet sorrowfully sent sons and Brothers to the conflict with a parting instruction “Trust in god and keep your powder dry””. Between the evacuation of Fort Wagner and the initial assault the 54th MA was doing the difficult and dangerous fatigue work of building works and were exposed to constant fire from Wagner. In the remaining 40+ letters in this grouping Luis details activities of the 54th including the Florida Expedition including the Battle of Olustee. During the Florida campaign and finally the fighting before Savannah and it’s fall. 4/29/64 “How hard it is for our poor fellows over a year in service and without a cent of pay-terrible-many of their families turned out the doors by their landlords. The poor fellows come to us officer’s and share their letters but what can we do for them. All men (traitor’s rather) that oppose Senator Wilson’s bill should be forever disgraced in the midst of the people…”. Wilson’s Bill is to give equal pay for the men of the 54th. A historical fact – It would not be until Savannah in 1865 the troops would receive 18 months full back pay 7/12/64 This letter describes the Battle of James Island and is interesting to note that an Ordinance Report in the previous lot lists this gun as being damaged in battle on this date. “…no casualties in my company but one killed in regiment …he was a solid shot, the first day. One of my command had a narrow escape-a solid shot came skipping along where the company was laying and cutting the canteen from his side struck his musket bending it double…”. If you aren’t familiar with a “solid shot”, it is a 12 pound solid cannon ball shot from a Napoleon field gun. 7/15/64 In an 8-page letter written from Fort Green, Folly Island: “The shot and shells and balls…over our heads…we had but little fighting on James Island but the artillery kept it up for ten days and nights. I slept soundly nonetheless. The mosquitoes troubling me more…” 9/1/64 “…600 rebels prisoners of war are to be sent here and placed on the front under the rebel fire that our regt. is to be detailed for this guard duty. I think it will be a rather agreeable occupation. 9/18/64 “…the 6 Companies of our regiment are engaged in guarding 600 rebel officers in a stockade complex….the prisoners behaved excellently-not one word of insult to our colored soldiers-to be sure they have no cause to complain for their treatment is greatly in contrast to the treatment meted out to our own prisoners in their hands at Andersonville, GA and the Libby.”. In Luis’s last letter in this archive written 3/20/65 from Savannah on 54th MA stationery “Division of Sheridan’s Army stationed with us…colored troops….we can successfully compete with white troops in drill, discipline and soldierly bearing on all occasions”. Luis Emilio was to be mustered out of service 7 days later. This wonderful archive includes letters from every month of his service with exception of March & April 1863 when he was in MA accepting his commission for the 54th and had no need to write letters home since he was home. CONDITION: Generally very good, as described above. 9-90959 (80,000-120,000)

Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2134	$148,125.00	IMPORTANT ARCHIVE OF LETTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF CAPTAIN LUIS EMILIO OF THE BLACK 54TH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT, COMPANY E. This lot consists of the contents of a dome top document box with leather veneer & cloth liner measuring about 15” x 9” x 5”. An 1880 dated label states this little trunk was made in 1840 for Luis’s mother in Malaga, Spain. The trunk contains about 50 letters dating from the 1830’s to the 1840’s to various Emilio family members, mostly Luis’s parents, in Spain and in Salem, MA. These letters are all in Spanish, no transcription was attempted. There is a Civil War era CDV album containing 20 images, all of the Emilio family starting with Luis’s grandparents, his parents, his siblings and other relatives, most identified. The last image is of Emilio in uniform when commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. of the 54th MA. Also laid into the album is a July 1862 dated CDV of Sarah D. Gilbert. There is a 10kt gold 1.25” cross also found in the trunk. There are five other CDVs’ of family members and 13 hard images in cases of which most are daguerreotypes & ambrotypes of the Emilio children including a 1/6th plate tintype of Luis in uniform probably taken July 24th in New Bern, North Carolina. Luis describes sitting for an image on that day and his mother responds in a letter about a black spot on his lip which Luis states is 9 months of mustache growth. This image shows Luis seated wearing a four-button sack coat wearing his enlisted belt with US buckle, cap box and bayonet visible. He is wearing a kepi with a rain cover which he also describes in one of his letters. The trunk also contains 23 school related documents including a letter of recommendation from his principle, an invitation and menu for an 1867 private dinner in honor of Capt. Emilio’s service by his fellow Officers of the 54th MA. There is also a church program from Christmas of 1863 from Emilio’s church, St. Peters. There is a detailed memo book that lists most every officer of the 54th MA along with a few colored soldiers with detailed biographies that possibly were used in Emilio’s history of the 54th MA which was published in 1891. The Civil War archive of Luis Emilio’s letters written home to his parents or siblings total 128 letters, mostly four-page but many longer. The letters are fairly well spaced throughout his service with no real gaps detailing most every action he was involved in from the formation of the 23rd MA to his discharge from the 23rd and commission in the 54th MA. This is among the greatest letter groupings of a Civil War soldier ever to come to market. Not only are the letters in overall fine condition; Luis had a beautiful script that is easily read. He writes vivid, detailed accounts of every aspect of soldier life. When you start reading these letters from day 1 they read like a book and it is hard to stop. Much of this material is not published even in his memoirs as much was not politically appropriate for the Victorian times. Interested parties should view and read this archive at length. The following are a few quotes from these Luis Emilio letters: 11/61 From Camp to his Mother: Luis is only 16 when writing his mother “I have to break to you the news that feeling it to be duty to my country and to posterity have enlisted in the Grand Army…My dear momma you do not a greater sacrifice than thousands of American mothers are doing cheerfully and you have the consolation that I am in one of the finest Companies in the services where we are all acquainted and friends. Do not regret the step that I have taken with a full perception of all consequences …if I should fall, would you not recall my memory with pride?” 11/23/61 Annapolis: In response to his sister’s letter about a local friend who will not join the Army: “Many sick and wounded soldiers…soldiering is no boys play…has no idea of the hardships we have to endure”. 12/8/61 In a letter to his mother “I am fully aware that (enlisting) father denied himself for some time, perhaps forever, a little assistance or companionship that I might afford, or my part giving up some of the most important years of my life in which I was to prepare myself to get my living and the chances of being cut down in the prime of life. All this I thought of time and time again but when I put in the balance of the imperative call of my country for her sons to come forth…to support the government…I felt in my heart that I could not conscientiously refuse the call”. 1/4/62 Annapolis: Luis has been in the Army 3 months and is sending his pay to his father to do with as he wishes. “…peculiar circumstances that the first money I ever earned in my life was toiling and laboring under the hardships of a soldier life?” 1/19/62 On board Schooner Highlander off Hatteras inlet: In a letter to his father Luis details a terrible storm that capsized several other schooners carrying troops with many men saved but others drowned. “I shall never forget”. 2/18/62 Camp Foster on Roanoke Island: Luis details the battle with loss of 30 killed and 100 wounded, 3,000 rebels captured “Contrabands are coming in every day from the mainland…” 3/22/62 Luis sends home a Major’s commission from the 30th No Carolina, he found as curiosity he would send home many souvenirs after this. 4/62 New Bern, NC: “In New Bern all is quiet…stores open…the destitute are fed and many colored folks there receive employment”. 8/9/62 New Bern, NC: Luis had seen constant fighting and skirmishing and death. “…I may never again see you…Sometimes when by myself the thought comes to me that never again I may witness a mother’s love, a father’s affection and brother and sisters tender greetings. Never feel the quiet peaceful influences of home but now in the beginning of early manhood be cut off, and my bones lay unburied in a strange land, no one to mourn or say a kind word; or return a maimed, crippled wreck, a shadow of what I was, to be a burden in the community…but enough of this…trust in providence”. He describes in many of his letters the routine going-ons in camp, the news of battles won and lost and about so many friends in the military and what they are doing. Luis, when he writes to his father, tells him more because he knows he served six years in the Spanish Army before coming to America and will understand what Luis is seeing and feeling. 9/5/62 Luis has been promoted to Sergeant after being a Corporal a scant 12 days, he is only 17 years old 10/27/62 In a four-page letter to his mother Luis describes himself as an “old soldier” with over a year of service. Luis comments on the lack of spirit some new recruits have who are only coming in for the $200-300 bounties 12/24/62 Luis has seen much fighting and killing, he states that all plantations in this vicinity are deserted and at the battle of Kinston 500 rebels were captured. 1/4/63 “Thank god I was preserved through the terrible fire at the Battle of Whitehall, deeply we can sympathize therefore with those who have lost loved ones. It was terrible to see the poor boys for a few moments before marched at our side with the vigor of life. The people are beginning to realize the terrible losses we have suffered since the war commenced….almost every fireside adorns a vacant seat.”. 2/18/63 Emilio’s last letter while written as a member of the 23rd, when on troop transport from Beufort, NC to now laying off Port Royal, SC, Luis describes in this letter the other vessels in the harbor and the porpoises playing around his ship in the calm weather. There is a 2 month gap in the letters until June 2nd. In the time lapse Luis has been back to MA to accept his commission into the 54th MA. 6/2/63 On troop transport from Boston “…enthusiastic reception of the 54th through Boston…the Regiment behaved with credit, the regiment embarked immediately…Frederick Douglas and other gentlemen accompanied us down the harbor…”. 7/15/63 “We can plainly see the rebel pickets and know the extensive forts on the island above us. The main object at present is to take Fort Wagner on Morris Island…Morris Island once taken batteries can be planted in the rear of Ft. Sumter and the other Forts can be reduced…Each day our men have been attacked and driven in so it is a matter of some responsibility to be in command, besides my men have never been on picket before…all went well while my company was there until 10pm when we were attacked and fell back on the reserve. We moved back a short distance and formed a new line and again were attacked, 1am. Retired, and everything was quiet until morning” 7/16/63 3pm “An eventful day!…Awakened by musketry I mounted a pile of bread boxes and could see the flashes of the guns the whole length of the line…Pawnee opened with her guns…the drums of the different regiments sound the long roll…In less than 10 minutes our pickets began to come in on the double quick; wounded men limped down the road…Sergeant severely injured….a few moments more whizz, zip-zip, bullets and shells, fortunately high. The men stood up well, no dodging that I saw as I passed in rear of the line…the rebel shelling however did not last long, for soon the First CT Battery came up and opened fire…our whole regiment was sent to the front on picket duty and reoccupied the original line…many have changed their opinions in Negro bravery. Company H lost 25 men”. So ended our first action. 7/18/63 This letter was posted the afternoon of July 18th. “Everyone is confident that Ft. Wagner and Sumter must fall…it will be glorious…”.Little did Luis know of the famous night attach to some take place. 7/22/63 Morris Island: In this 4-page letter to his parents “Through the grace of providence I pass safely through the terrible assault of Ft. Wagner last Saturday night…where our regt. was fearfully cutup, we lost our beloved Col. Shaw, killed on the parapet….nearly 300 men killed, wounded and missing in all”. “We had the advance…were not allowed to fire a gun, and charge clear up the fort but it was of no use. Terrific fire from Wagner, Sumpter, Johnson, Moultry and Cummings Point concentrated was too much for us and we had to fall back….I’m in command of the Regt. I am the only Captain to escape without being touched….the men are in fair spirits.” 7/30/63 Morris Island: In an 8-page letter to his sister “…it is real sad for me to receive letter to boys in the company that are dead and others missing and to have the painful duty to redirect them to their friends at home…” 8/12/63 In an 8-page letter to his mother “we are pleased with the just praise awarded to the 54th in the Northern papers which I see speak in the highest terms of the regiment and hear even a sentiment among the white regiments are much changed for the better”. 9/12/63 “The whole of Morris Island now in our possession now having been evacuated by the rebels September 7th”. 9/13/63 “Many men killed in fatigue duty in extreme front of Wagner putting up sand between themselves and the fort. Quite dangerous duty and quite a number killed and wounded. Before the place was evacuated…Our men do not wish to accept the $10 a month which is all that can be paid by law at present, the government I have no doubt will rectify this when Congress meets in December. We hope the officer’s will be paid without waiting for the men as we are sadly in want of money. Everything is very high and you know and officer has to buy everything he eats…”. Also in this letter Luis refers to “The straps”. It is possible he is referring to the theater made Captains shoulder straps made from palm fronds edging and bars that are in the previous lot. 10/2/63 “I think some time may lapse before active operations are again resumed…yesterday I received a splendid photograph of Col. Shaw from his father…” 10/19/63 Col. Hallowell looks real spry after recovering from 6 wounds from Ft. Wagner. “Farragut may be put in command of Navy to coordinate Army and Navy bombardment like Port Hudson and Vicksburg”. 10/24/63 “Corporal Jones of my company has just been in to see me-bringing the pictures of his wife…and his son, a fat little chub of 7 years for me to inspect (Army phrase). The corporal is a very intelligent man from Albany, NY-his occupation a barber, the corporal is and obliging man so he comes in voluntarily every morning …shaves me and fixes my hair in the most approved style all the while amusing me with his talk…” 11/5/63 “Mrs. Robert Shaw-widow of our consecrated Col. Has made quite a present to the men of the regt. …beautiful little books of the gospel all bound of different morocco’s, the flyleaf is pasted in printed form to this effect “Presented to (here the name is written ) of the 54th MA by Mrs. Robert G. Shaw””. 11/12/63 “Our Chaplin a Mr. Harrison of Pittsfield, MA (colored) …intelligent and fine man”. 11/19/63 “You must remember that officer’s are allowed a servant by the government who pay him regular wages and allows rations. Now I have a very nice boy, he is an enlisted man, but is unable to perform a regular soldiers duty. So I have him with me, he attends to everything. Black my boots and shoes…cleans my swords, belt and pistol”. 11/29/63 “Yesterday was an eventful day for in the morning our regiment received 7 conscripts from MA. They are a good lot of men.” 12/17/63 “Major Sturgis from MA has been here with funds provided by our whole State to pay our regiment…that portion of their rightful pay, refused by the US government. The men however unanimously refused to accept one single cent from MA preferring to wait until the government pays them their just due, as other soldiers. I do not blame them in this matter, although I know that their families must suffer in the meantime.” 12/21/63 “We were all much pleased to peruse the President’s message which came by the last mail from the north. The amnesty which he gives forth to the people of the South will doubtless carry considerable sensation among the leaders of the rebellion and will go far towards numbing the rotten mass that styles itself the Southern Confederacy. May this last proclamation be speedily conductive of as much good as Mr. Lincoln’s Emancipation Act.”. “The men refused the part pay tendered them by MA. They declare they must have full pay from government”. 12/27/63 In a 4-page letter written to his mother he describes another great minstrel show that the men performed on a weekly basis to great the delight of the officer’s and men “Do not be troubled about our assaulting Fort Sumpter. I don’t think it will be attempted again…if all the sentiments of the women were made public, even the self sacrificing Spartan mother & sisters of older times would not be fit to “hold a candle” to those who have this war so cheerfully yet sorrowfully sent sons and Brothers to the conflict with a parting instruction “Trust in god and keep your powder dry””. Between the evacuation of Fort Wagner and the initial assault the 54th MA was doing the difficult and dangerous fatigue work of building works and were exposed to constant fire from Wagner. In the remaining 40+ letters in this grouping Luis details activities of the 54th including the Florida Expedition including the Battle of Olustee. During the Florida campaign and finally the fighting before Savannah and it’s fall. 4/29/64 “How hard it is for our poor fellows over a year in service and without a cent of pay-terrible-many of their families turned out the doors by their landlords. The poor fellows come to us officer’s and share their letters but what can we do for them. All men (traitor’s rather) that oppose Senator Wilson’s bill should be forever disgraced in the midst of the people…”. Wilson’s Bill is to give equal pay for the men of the 54th. A historical fact – It would not be until Savannah in 1865 the troops would receive 18 months full back pay 7/12/64 This letter describes the Battle of James Island and is interesting to note that an Ordinance Report in the previous lot lists this gun as being damaged in battle on this date. “…no casualties in my company but one killed in regiment …he was a solid shot, the first day. One of my command had a narrow escape-a solid shot came skipping along where the company was laying and cutting the canteen from his side struck his musket bending it double…”. If you aren’t familiar with a “solid shot”, it is a 12 pound solid cannon ball shot from a Napoleon field gun. 7/15/64 In an 8-page letter written from Fort Green, Folly Island: “The shot and shells and balls…over our heads…we had but little fighting on James Island but the artillery kept it up for ten days and nights. I slept soundly nonetheless. The mosquitoes troubling me more…” 9/1/64 “…600 rebels prisoners of war are to be sent here and placed on the front under the rebel fire that our regt. is to be detailed for this guard duty. I think it will be a rather agreeable occupation. 9/18/64 “…the 6 Companies of our regiment are engaged in guarding 600 rebel officers in a stockade complex….the prisoners behaved excellently-not one word of insult to our colored soldiers-to be sure they have no cause to complain for their treatment is greatly in contrast to the treatment meted out to our own prisoners in their hands at Andersonville, GA and the Libby.”. In Luis’s last letter in this archive written 3/20/65 from Savannah on 54th MA stationery “Division of Sheridan’s Army stationed with us…colored troops….we can successfully compete with white troops in drill, discipline and soldierly bearing on all occasions”. Luis Emilio was to be mustered out of service 7 days later. This wonderful archive includes letters from every month of his service with exception of March & April 1863 when he was in MA accepting his commission for the 54th and had no need to write letters home since he was home. CONDITION: Generally very good, as described above. 9-90959 (80,000-120,000) Auction: Fine Art, Antiques & Asian - Winter 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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