Civil War POW and Sailor Nathan Hopkins, Two CDVs and

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Civil War POW and Sailor Nathan Hopkins, Two CDVs and Typed Memoirs

Lot of 2 CDVs of sailor Nathan E. Hopkins with letters and documents regarding his pension.

Nathan E. Hopkins (1841-1923) initially served in the US Navy during the Civil War from October 14, 1861 until August 12, 1863. After a brief time at home in Jewett City, CT, he enlisted for a second time on December 2, 1863 with the 12th New Hampshire Volunteers before being transferred to the US Navy to serve aboard the Frigate Minnesota. In late April, he was sent up the James River in advance of the fleet on picket duty. While on shore leave he was captured by Confederates. Unbeknownst to him, he was accompanied by two bounty jumpers. In a typescript narrative memoir included here, Hopkins vividly recalls “...two Confederate pickets stepped out of the brush and took us into custody, whereon my two companions promptly shook hands with our captors but I did not.” He would be confined at Libby Prison in Richmond and later the notorious Andersonville Prison, paroled on October 14, 1864 and returned to service on the Florida.

Included are two CDVs of the young seaman from his time of service. The first shows him in a brimmed hat, sailor uniform with white shirt, dark pants and neckerchief. He inscribed the verso, “Yours Truly, N.E. Hopkins.” The second shows Hopkins in his all-dark uniform with sailor cap. He signed the verso above a Kimberly Brothers imprint. Also included are his partly printed US Navy Certificate of Service, Form No. 46 from the State of New Hampshire regarding his record of service, and four typed letters signed from New Hampshire representative Richard P. Freeman in regards to securing a pension for the elderly Hopkins in 1922 and 1923.
Condition Report: Corners of one CDV clipped not affecting image, letters and narrative held in plastic folder.

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