47103: George Townsend, 29th Massachusetts Infantry, Sm

George Townsend, 29th Massachusetts Infantry, Small Group of Letters. Three war-dated letters from Townsend, ranging from June 5 to August 17, 1864. All letters have retained their original transmittal covers. Townsend enlisted as a private at the age of 26. He was mustered into Company F on November 5, 1861. Over the course of his service he was promoted to sergeant, before being wounded in action at Petersburg. Townsend wrote to his family of the battle where he was wounded. His letter to his father describes Petersburg and the Battle at Bethesda Church, dated June 5, 1864: "…The regt has been into a fight and I have seen several of the wounded men Epreham and Abe Haskell are two of them there was several killed. How many I do not know. They are cut up very bad I am still with the bagadge but don't know how soon I shall go to the front. There cannot be over 75 men left in our regt now. Martin Jefferson of South Middleborough is killed. He belonged to my company who else I cannot tell…" [Two pages of bifolium, 5" x 8"]. The following month, Townsend was still on duty at the rear of the army. He wrote on July 7, 1864: "…I have not been with the regiment for six weeks I am seven miles to the reads I have charge of the regimental bagadge. They have not taken Richmond yet and I don’t think they will very soon. There is not many left in the 29rgt – there is 38 men for duty…is Betsey keeping house I don’t care a Dam what she does. She said all she wanted was my Bounty I wonder if she got much. I reckon not." [Three pages of bifolium, 4.5" x 7"]. Shortly thereafter, on August 17, Townsend writes from the hospital after being wounded in action at Petersburg: "…I am now in the hospital and gitting along as well as can be expected my wound begins to heal up now proud flesh got into it and I had to have it burnt out three times it is clear from it now…I was shot through the back of the neck July 30th in the charge when we blowed up the rebel fort…please send me $5.00 dollars for I have not got a cent I lost all of my clothes only what I had on…only 50 men in this ward wounded I think there is about 15 hundred in this place. Petersburgh never will be taken nor Richmond…Drafted men next September I hope they will shove them right to the front…" [Three pages of bifolium, 5" x 8"]. The following year, Townsend was captured by the Confederates in March 1865 and was held as a prisoner of war at Fort Stedman in Virginia. Townsend was exchanged from prison less than a week later, on April 1, 1865, and was eventually mustered out at the end of July 1865. He became a member of the GAR and passed away in 1899. Condition: Flattened mail folds, with varying degrees of toning and soiling. Usual wear and soiling to the transmittal covers. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved