Soldier\'s Request for Descriptive List to Hospital - 2nd New York Infantry
Offered for yourconsideration is a manuscript request for a descriptive list to be sent to ahospital on behalf of a sick soldier, accomplished phonetically. This piece isdated “October the 15 A D 1862” and is addressed to “2thRegimint New yorke Vol Company C”. The body of the documentasks that “Lieu Sulivan or whome is in comand of Company C will plese and scend memy Discriptf List i am in the hospitle and am very Loe the Dr has enquired ofme for my discriptf list and Requested me to cend for it plese scend it as soonas you can convenient and by doing so you will Gratly releve your fellowsufring solger”. It is signed at the conclusion by “JohnLafever”, followed by section which asks the recipient to “Adressyours John Lafever / Post hospital near Alexandria / incar of col Bellknap / virginia”. The back of the requestis blank. As noted earlier, this piece is written phonetically, though from theprevious transcription one can see that it is not difficult to understand thedesperation of this suffering soldier. Sadly, whether this request wasfulfilled is unknown to the seller, as the list was not received with thepresently offered item. An interesting document that would make a nice additionto any medical related collection. Certainly worthy of further research. Couldbe framed with a period illustration of a Union hospital.
JohnLa Fever was 25 years of age when he enlisted on May 12, 1861at Elmira, New York, initially mustered in as a private in Company E, 21stNew York Infantry for two years on May 20, 1861. He transferred to Company C, 2ndNew York Infantry on October 4, 1861. He was mustered out with his company onMay 26, 1863 at Troy, New York.
Cursory researchindicates that the 2nd New York Infantry Regiment, also known as the“Troy Regiment”, was organized in Troy, New York and was mustered into Federalservice on May 14, 1861 for two years. They were mustered out of service on May26, 1863 having lost 1 officer and 25 enlisted men killed or mortally woundedand 22 enlisted men dead from disease. They participated in the battles of BigBethel, Oak Grove, White Oak Swamp, Bristoe Station, Groveton, andChancellorsville, and were present at several others.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of period use,though it appears that it was reasonably well stored following its intendedpurpose. Light toning is noted across the entire surface, imparting to thepiece an off-white to beige hue. This toning is slightly darker at the edges,with several scattered spots within the text. Minor ink corrosion is noted onsome of the letters, though the paper appears intact at this time. Significantsoiling is noted on the blank back, which would have served as the outside whenthe document was folded for storage (this was to protect the contents of thedocument, which it did, though usually some form of filing notation was addedto the back for ease of retrieval). Numerous folds, both vertical andhorizontal, are present, several of which appear to have weakened the integrityof the paper (this is especially true at the edges and junctions). The leftedge is ragged, with numerous tears and harsh folds, apparently having been torn from a larger sheet or ledger(the remaining edges are relatively straight). Accomplished in period ink on whitepaper, this piece measures approximately 7⅞ x 10 inches. A great researchproject for a local historian.
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Buy or offer withConfidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerousreference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “TheComprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2nd 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 Societyof Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismaticassociations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamondfounding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of theIndustry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can befound at many of the state and local coin shows.
