An Extensive Collection of Letters, a Manuscript of Over 100 Pages and 2 Original Drawings -- All Done in 1862-1864-- by Civil War Soldier George William Spencer, a Member of the 3rd New Hampshire Mounted Infantry

1864. Letters. Very Good +. An impressive Civil War archive left behind by Union soldier George William Spencer of the 3rd New Hampshire Mounted Infantry. Created when Spencer was in active duty (1862 through mid 1864), the archive consists of a manuscript Spencer called "Second Expedition to Charleston, 1863", numbering 117 pages and detailing his experiences from April 3rd, 1863 through February 15th, 1864; A collection of 24 heartfelt letters to his Mother (mostly) and to his cousin Angie, all written between February 21st and August 6th, 1864, many showing startling narrative skill and conviction; and finally, 2 nicely-rendered drawings (one ink and pencil, the other exclusively pencil), both drawn in 1862, both initialed by George William Spencer. The ink and pencil drawing he titled "Regimental Cemetery" and the other, while untitled, may be even more engaging, depicting an active battle, with soldiers trapped in a house firing away at enemy soldiers circling the house. A downed soldier (presumably dead) is shown in the front yard. Each drawing measures roughly 8" wide x 5"-6" tall. The condition of the collection is sharp, the manuscript and letters all clean to very clean, the handwriting crisp and, thankfully, eminently legible. An uncommon, detailed glimpse of life deep in the South for an invading Union army while the War raged on.