CIVIL War Iowa Rebel Soldier Letter To His Wife- He Deserts & Joins The Us Navy

He fought at Shiloh, Corinth & Grand Gulf, Louisiana. Disillusioned while on parole after the Fall of Vicksburg as a POW at Fort McHenry, he took the Union Oath of Amnesty and joined the US Navy Sloop of War Juniata as a seaman in 1864 (seeing combat at Fort Fisher before being mustered out in 1865). An Original Civil War Letter from Seaman Hutchinson, aboard the Juniata, "Off Norfolk" June 25th (1864or 65) to his wife "Libbie" at Dodgeville- He expects she is surprised to hear that he is aboard a US vessel, his meanderings through the North until "there was nothing to do but enlist or be Drafted", as an "Ordinary Seaman".

He expects it might seem strange to her but Poverty makes for Strange Bedfellows. He hopes she is well and that "dear Little Carter" is behaving himself with his grandparents, and asks her to kiss the Baby for him. He also asks that Mother write him and not to "upbraid" him "for what I have done".

He says Father can write me "without having his loyalty impugned". The USS Juniata, built 1862 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard was a heavily armed sloop with Dahlgren, Parrott Guns and howitzers, patrolling the Atlantic for blockade runners and taking part in the Assault on Fort Fisher, NC. 4pp 8 x 5 ink. Edge wear, small archival repair at fold, age stains, Overall VG. The postal cover is much worn with "Old Point Comfort" postmark.

This is maybe one of the most unique War letters I have had, written by an Iowan & Confederate deserter who joins the Federal Navy. General Orders and other imprints. All items are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic and in the condition as described.

PLEASE READ DETAILS OF THE ITEM DESCRIPTION. I TRY TO DESCRIBE ALL ITEMS ACCURATELY.

---