Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 311
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6 image_7 image_8 image_9 image_10 image_11
Soldier's Civil War-date Correspondence Archive, Over 300 Letters, Plus More!
Soldier's Civil War-date Correspondence Archive, Over 300 Letters, Plus More!
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6 image_7 image_8 image_9 image_10 image_11
Description:

Civil War
various, ca. 1862-1865
Soldier's Civil War-date Correspondence Archive, Over 300 Letters, Plus More!
Archive
An extensive archive consisting of Civil War-date correspondence between David Waterbury Masten (1838-1911) and his wife Ella Nora Gilbert Masten (1839-1909). Private Masten served in Company E, New York 143rd Infantry, and was a musician and member of the Ambulance Corps.

Most letters in this archive are housed in their original covers, numbered 1 through 168, with only a handful of covers not present, and many covers contain multiple letters. Some letters have two distinct authors on a single bifolium sheet, as Ella often wrote two pages, leaving the third and fourth pages blank for her husband's replies, which were then posted back to her. The letter count for those housed within covers is approximately 288, with most between two and four pages, being accomplished in a mix of ink and pencil. Additional letters and accompanying items are detailed below. With varying wear including expected folds and creases; foxing, soiling, and age toning; tears and chipping to edges; and fading of text in pencil. Overall, the collection is in good condition.

*We strongly recommend that interested parties view the collection in person by appointment at our offices.

Despite Masten's use of phonetic spelling and faulty grammar, his letters provide a compelling record of the campaigns in which his regiment was engaged. In particular, his description of activity within the Ambulance Corps provides a unique window with which to view the conflict, shedding light on a lesser-known branch of military service.

The first letter in the archive dates to October 16, 1862. Masten describes his arrival in the nation's capital, where he and his regiment spent the first part of their enlistment at Upton's Hill, Virginia, on duty in the defenses of Washington, D.C. Letter "No. 17" marks the first instance in which the couple utilizes their unique letter writing strategy, with Ella writing pages 1 and 2 from Wurstboro on January 7, 1863, and Masten replying on pages 3 and 4 from Upton's Hill just three days later. Masten has previously indicated that he is eager for an engagement, and his wife gently chastises him for seeming "so anxious for a fight." She indicates here that if she believed she could write to his captain or colonel to successfully facilitate a discharge, she would do so. (Ella does indeed write to his superior officer, Colonel David P. Dewitt, whose reply is included in the archive). Masten remains in the relative safety of the D.C. vicinity throughout the early months of 1863. New York Civil War muster roll abstracts indicate that Masten was absent with leave, to return April 22, 1863, which coincides with a gap in his communication between April 1 and April 21. Correspondence indicates he had returned home during this period, likely due to the frail health of both his wife and their newborn child following her delivery. After leave Masten rejoined his regiment in the Department of Virginia, participating in the defenses of Suffolk, and still serving as a musician/drummer.

Masten's time with his regiment is short-lived, as he takes ill with a fever in late May 1863. On June 4, 1863, Lt. Peter L. Waterbury of Co. E writes to Ella ("No. 47") on behalf of Masten, indicating that Masten is too ill to write. New York muster rolls indicate he was absent from his regiment while sick in hospital beginning June 4, though by June 25 Masten writes to his wife that had rejoined his regiment at camp near Yorktown. When the regiment returns to Washington, D.C. on July 10th, Masten takes himself to the Armory Square Hospital to recover his strength. The following day he writes to inform Ella that he has been asked by the Ward Master there to work at the hospital. "I think that I am a faring purty good not going With the Regt thay have Seen Ruf times and I think they Will See mar hard times..." Masten remains at the hospital serving in Ward H, noting on August 30,1863, that he can dress a wound as well as anyone. Though others were examined to be sent back to the regiment in late August, Masten remains behind again on account of the Ward Master who "told the Dr that I was a good hand and he coud not spair me."

Letter "No. 88" finds Masten in "Stevinson, Alabama" and on the cusp of rejoining his regiment, which at this time has been reassigned to the Army of the Cumberland and is 22 miles away at Lookout Mountain. Masten's first foray deep into the Confederacy affects him deeply. He writes to his wife: "I have seen a splendid cuntry till I got this side of Nashville and from thair hear it looks as if God had cursed the hull and left the inhabitents to look out for thair selves they ar a sufering for the want of something to eat and they are coming in all the time for to git something to eat. I tell yu it is tuf to see the women and children how they look they have no clothes nor nothing to eat the folks in the north don't no nothing about a bout hard times..." Masten notes here that Rebels are flooding into the camp to join the Union with such numbers that soon they will "have a Rig full of diserters..." Having not yet reached his regiment before the Battle of Missionary Ridge, Masten relays the news he hears of his regiment's assault at the battle, and of the wounding of their colonel (Lt. Col. Joseph B. Taft, KIA). He remarks on the hard times that his regiment has endured, "thay have sufard like dogs." Faint text on a brief undated letter "No. 93" instructs Ella to resume writing on big sheets so that he can write back, because he "can't git iny paper here nor noting els." As 1863 closes, Masten has reached his regiment and is on duty in Lookout Valley.

New York muster rolls indicate that Masten was placed on detached service in the ambulance corps on January 16, 1864, and his letter of the same date relays this to his wife. The U.S. Ambulance Corps oversaw an organized system of battlefield evacuations, and as the Atlanta Campaign gained momentum Masten soon found himself surrounded by the carnage of war. On April 28, Masten indicates that he has the opportunity to drive a medicine wagon for the brigade. In his next letter from "Camp Near Ringgold" he tells his wife that he has accepted the role and describes it: "I drive six mules...in time of battle I stay with the wagon to the Hospital the only time I have to Pick up is When they move the Hospital..." Writing on May 17 from the Hospital, "Camp 15 Miles from Dalton State of Gorga", Masten describes the Battle of Resaca and its aftermath: "...the fight commenced on friday and lasted until Monday morning and then the Rebs left purty badly whiped the 143 Was in it they made two or three charges and Drove the Rebels evry time...We have a got a good many Rebs hear that is shot thay have as good care as our men dos...the Hospital was two miles from the battle field it loked tuf to see so many have to have thair arms and legs taken of but such is the fortions of war..." Nearly two weeks later, on May 29, Masten writes from "Camp on the Battlefield Near Dalas Gorga" noting that the battle commenced on the 26th and was still raging. Masten retains his sympathy for the civilians caught in the crossfire. On June 8, he writes from a hospital near Marietta: "I tell yu it is tuf for the poor women and children I have seen the soldiers take the last thing that thay had to eat and...have seen them go in to a house and brake up all thair furniture evry little peace...and When We come a long to a nice pice of Wheat We are shure to camp in it and turn our Horse and Mules in it...don't you think it rathar tuf."

Masten's letters continue to describe the advance of the regiment and the brigade. Operations continued near Marietta and against Kennesaw Mountain. An undated letter written from "the field that thay fout and gaind" describes operations leading to Marietta, describing how "the Rebs made a charge on our brest works With three line of battle but the Yankees piled them up so that thay had to lay on one a nother..." Later, on June 22, he writes from "Hospital five miles from Mary Etta": "It has bin nothing but a continuous roring of canons and muskets all the time night and day" and when the hospital becomes too full of sick and wounded men the men are placed in the cars for transport to Chattanooga or other locations. He writes from a hospital six miles outside Atlanta, and then from Atlanta, commenting on the destruction that the Yankee shells have wrought on the city, the hospital, and the Southern ladies "dressed in thair silks & satens..." As Union troops fortify their position in Atlanta, Masten remains in the city until he departs on November 15, 1864, on Sherman's "March to the Sea." In a December 14 letter, Masten describes the arrival of the troops to Milledgeville, the state's capital: "We went in Milligeville a bout noon...it was the Citizens of the place come and met Gen Slockem [General Henry W. Slocum] and surrendered the city to him no fighting thair a tall..." From there, Masten is witness to the Siege of Savannah and its occupation, the Campaign of the Carolinas, and the end of the war. His final letter to Ella is dated July 24, 1865.

WITH: Thirty-four additional letters, most war-date correspondence related to either David or Ella, from friends and family members. One notable letter in this grouping is from Colonel David P. DeWitt, commander of the 143rd Regiment, who responds on March 15, 1863, to a letter from Ella indicating that he has no power to discharge her husband from duty, "except for permanent disability, which must be certified to by the surgeon of the regiment." DeWitt closes, stating, "I would most willingly assist you were it in my power." Another letter of May 29, 1864 is written by Masten to his parents from a "Field Hospital near Dalas". Masten, working for the Ambulance Corps, writes following the previous day's Battle of Dallas, indicating that his life has been spared while hundreds have been shot. He must grease his wagon and is "on the march".

ALSO INCLUDES: A carte de visite photograph of a soldier in uniform identified on verso as "David Waterbury Masten / born June 3rd 1838 / Enlisted Co. E 143 Reg. of / N.Y. Aug. 22nd 1862 / served 3 years / Disch. July 20th 1865 / at Washington, D.C."; a carte de visite photograph of a young woman identified on verso as "Ella Nora Gilbert Masten" (both CDVs show significant wear including losses, creasing, dampstaining, and spotting); a photograph by E.A. Koonz of Wurstboro, New York, on a postcard showing David W. Masten's grave marker; a Grand Army of the Republic veteran's medal featuring eagle hanger and American flag ribbon; and a post-war cabinet card photograph of Masten in civilian attire.

At 24-years-old, David W. Masten enlisted as a musician on August 22, 1862 at Wurstboro, New York, mustering into Co. E, New York 143rd Infantry, on October 8, 1862. Masten was later "reduced to ranks", likely due to illness or his being detached to the Ambulance Corps, and served as a private for the remainder of the war. He was mustered out on July 20, 1865 at Washington, D.C. During its term of service the 143rd Regiment saw extensive action, participating in the Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman's March to the Sea, and the Carolinas Campaign.

Prior to his enlistment, the 1860 U.S. Federal Census identifies Masten's occupation as "Boatman" and his correspondence contains regular references to issues related to boats and work at home. After the war, it appears as if Masten returned to his previous occupation, with the 1870 U.S. Federal Census identifying his occupation as "Boating on Canal". Later records identify Masten as a laborer and freight handler, and as a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Please view our terms and conditions of sale for lots containing more than five items.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: Archive

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 29, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000