Civil War Union Soldier's Letter Archive of Charles H. Sanborn of the 15th Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers Infantry and the Sanborn Family Archive.

The bulk of the archive is comprised of over 43 letters (almost all are in the original stamped and cancelled envelopes) written to and from Charles H. Sanborn, who served in the New Orleans, Louisiana Banks Expedition (a.k.a. Red River Campaign or Expedition) under Capt. Jacob B. Sanborn (Fifteenth regiment, New Hampshire volunteers, 1862-1863), Company H. Most of the letters date between 1862 and 1863 and are between himself, Olive (his mother), father, Charles W. Sanborn (Feb. 4, 1809 - May 23, 1874) and younger brother Joel but other family members also write.

Specifically written by Private Charles H. Sanborn while in various camps with the Banks Expedition are seventeen envelopes; most containing several letters addressed to his mother, father and younger brother Joel. Two letters from 1863 on 15th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers letter head stationary.

Also included is his 1863 personal diary with daily entries. This begins January 1, 1863 with his arrival at "Carrolton Dec 23, 1862" and continues until his last entry three days before his death from sickness when he states Thursday, May 21st, "I feel a little better this morning I think I shall get over it in a few days."

In his letters and journal Charles writes of troop movements, commanders, living conditions, farm, family, food, heath and God. There is also a hand written Roster of Officers and Privates in CH 15th N.H.

Quotes from a few of the letters:

Jan. 11, 1863: "one thing I think is that Vixburg [sic Vicksburg] will be taken they may wait until Spring the river is rising fast."

March 4, 1863: Charles H. Sanborn: 1863: Finds him addressing a letter to Mer. Williams, East Sanbornton, New Hampshire from his post at Camp Parapet, Shrewsbury, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, in a Union "Risque" pictorial envelope "I've got to go to play soldier about three months longer. We are in camp about four miles above New Orleans we are behind a breast of earthworks that extends five miles".

March 11, 1863:

young Sanborn diagrams the earthworks holding New Orleans with the caption, "Beauregard built these earthworks." There is mention of the movements of Col. Pike.

The archive includes two letters relating his death, (May, 25 1863) to the family.One from E.W. Clark, Chaplain of the 47th Massachusetts the Sanborn family informing that their son had died, "I have to announce to you the sad intelligence that C. H. Sanborn of Sanbornton N.H., 15th Regt Co. died yesterday. I conducted the services for his funeral today being the only Chaplain at the port. Everything was done for him that could be in the circumstances. Doubtless he has a dear mother who will wait for his return. I weep bitter tears that she will see her boy no more. With regrets that I do not know to whom to address particularly, I write with tender sympathy.”

And one from whom we believe to be C. C. Clark Listed as “dedicated mail carrier”, confirming the passing of Charles Sanborn. Clark also refers to the returning of the body, “… if you want your son brought home, you can have him in the fall they don’t allow any bodies to be sent North this summer but will in the fall.”(Ref. History of the Fifteenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, 1862-1863, p 526.)

Addressed to Charles H. Sanborn in the camps on the Banks Expedition are twenty-one envelopes from the same family members, his aunt and others. Many of these also contain multiple letters from different people.

In addition, over fifty envelopes addressed to Olive Sanborn (mother of Charles H and Joel) spanning the 1850’s to the 1890s,

most have several letters or are two to three pages long. Additionally, there is also her Civil War Pension paperwork allowing her $8 per month commencing on June 1, 1874 and, “to continue during dependence or unless she shall again marry,” and her will.

Also included are: 1859 Business ledger relating to the selling and purchase of wood and six sporadically filled diaries 1881, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893.

While this is the bulk of the archive, the earliest letter dates from 1848 and many continue through the 1880s with calling cards and letters addressed to younger brother Joel and mother and extends into the early 20th century with letters, documents, legal papers and poetry written between the core family members creating a singular and truly unique family archive of the Sanborn family which imparts a personal perspective.

PROVENANCE: from a distinguished gentleman's living estate, former renowned Antiques Dealer, and world-wide Collector of valued Fine-Art, extensive Antiques (w/ an expertise in Asian, European and Americana).

Remarkably good condition. Thirty additional photos and descriptions of this lot can be found by following this link to our Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/EMWAA1/sanborn-civil-war-and-family-archive-auctioned-126/