Group of six autograph letters signed by Pvt. Manlius Comey, Co. F, 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. June 1863 - January 1864. WITH Adams Express Company receipt. 1863. ALSO WITH four original envelopes. 

Pvt. Comey was captured in action at Petersburg, Virginia on June 22, 1864 and sent to Andersonville prison in Georgia. Like many northern soldiers who had the misfortune of being sent to the notorious Andersonville, Comey developed serious health issues related to starvation. He was released during a prisoner exchange in late November of 1864 but, unfortunately, did not have the strength to survive the trip to his home in Hopkinton. An emaciated Manlius died aboard the steamer "New York" on 2 December 1864 at just 21 years of age. 

The six letters are written to either Manlius's mother, Abigail, or sister, Mary, and span from June 1863 through January 1864. This was a comparably quiet period for the men of the 1st Massachusetts Infantry, who in May of 1864 would be recalled from their guard duty of Maryland Heights to join Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the front. The "heavies" were subsequently armed as infantry and took part in some of the most epic battles of the Eastern Theater straight through to the end of the Civil War. 

Manlius, a farmer in peacetime, shares interesting stories and information throughout his letters - Thanksgiving celebrations, picket adventures, excursions to Virginia towns, War news, detailed descriptions of his barracks, politics, and more. He is particularly keen on updates from or about his three brothers, Henry, Lawson, and Alphonso, all of whom were also Union soldiers. Henry was wounded at Gettysburg and had a long recovery; Lawson (Brashear City) and Alphonso (Cold Harbor) were both killed in action. Manlius, an engaging and insightful writer, loved to fill each page with news. That his fate changed so rapidly flies in stark contrast to his optimistic letters.

This is an excellent grouping from a family who sent four sons to War - and, tragically, lost three. 

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Prisoner of War, POW, Andersonville, Libby Prison] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]