MAINE CIVIL WAR AND RELATED MANUSCRIPT LETTERS, LOT OF 21, primarily comprising the correspondences sent to Mary B. Brown/Browne, of Bowdoinham, ME, from her brother Bainbridge P. Brown, her cousins Alonzo Chase and Sanford Chase of Lexington, ME, and another cousin who signed simply "Ned"; also including two letters addressed to "Dear sister," and signed "your brother, L.", probably also related; Alonzo Chase was assigned to the Headquarters of the 6th Maine Battery, and his letters include examples on red and blue printed illustrated letterhead, some with descriptions of signals to be given should the enemy appear suddenly, including a Wednesday, June 4th letter that describes his unit on guard at Fall's Church being on put alert on the night of May 27th for a sneak attack by Stonewall Jackson's troops following the first battle of Winchester, VA.; one of the letters signed simply "your brother, L." describes being assigned to the "second army corps, second division, Sully's brigade, Gorman's division, Couch's corps," (sic), officially the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps, and seeing General McClellan pass by twice, and having him pointed out at first by the "Fife Major of the N.Y. 34th," and describing the countryside as "fine country up this valley. . . but still it is no N. England."; he goes on to describe his "folks" capturing a "reb supposed to be an officer and spy" and that they "carry out the confiscation law very well, foul, hogs, and cattle to take up." Some with watermarked post covers. Together with a letter requesting legal guardianship of two infant children whose father had just passed away, dated May 21st, 1853, and a Hall and Sellers 1778 seven dollar note. Twenty-three (23) pieces total. Most dated 1861 to 1862.

Provenance: From an Alexandria, VA private collection.

Very good condition overall, with expected minor staining and wear, and some minor tears or creases; some with heavy staining, but still legible; red and blue stationary examples still fairly vibrant; post covers with tears and losses, as expected.