[Civil War] - Woods Family

A fine group of 26 autograph letters signed by Henry Marlyn Wood, his brother Daniel Wood, and their cousin James Dines, from Washington DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland, 5 July 1861-15 August 1865, ca. 89 pages written, mostly 8vo but a few 4to or folio, mostly folded, soiled and stained, with occasional fold-tears. With a manuscript diary for the year 1862, a pocket New Testament (New York: 1852),  printed discharge papers, 2 photographs of Henry Wood as an old man, and a packet of typescripts from the General Services Administration detailing his record, and 7 related items of personal effects, all contained in 2 mylar sleeves and a plastic bag.

condition described in the cataloguing
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
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The brothers Henry and Daniel, along with their cousin James, were among the first group of volunteers from Rockland County, New York. Their regiment spent the first eight months guarding the southern border of Washington DC. In 1862, they assisted in the Seven Days campaign around Richmond, destroying supplies to keep them out of enemy hands. They participated in the second battle of Manassas, and the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Apparently Henry went home in June of 1863, but Daniel re-enlisted in the 6th New York Heavy Artillery and James served with the 127th New York for the duration of the war.

The brothers exhibit an easy comraderie and a taste for mischief as they leave camp to look for girls, to go to the theatre, or to spend time in saloons: (12 July 1861, Henry) "you write about my braveness if it supprises you, would like to know wether I am brave or not, well I am brave as a lion fear nothing not even the devil ... the only thing I am at lost for is the girls, that is wite girls, plenty of black, they don't quite suit the fancy of me although they are quite fancy ..." (23 September 1861) "... I have plenty of fun down here with the girls but I would not marrie a girl down here because their principles do not suit ..." but the boredom and horrors of war are ever present: (13 April 1862) "... I tell you when the shell bursts about you it does not sound very nice. I have seen some of the wounded soldiers wounded with a shell. I was standing not far from them ..." (26 July 1862) "Fitz John Porter's Corps and the Reserves were reviewed by General McClellan and other distinguished officers; the sun almost melting us; thier is more soldiers dying now than any time since the war began, you can hear the volleys fired over thier graves almost every hour ..."

A transcript of the letters and diary is available on application to the department.