Ezra G. Cristman was 22 years old when he enlisted on 9/5/1862 at Mohawk, NY as a Private.

On 10/14/1862, he mustered into "C" Co. New York 152nd Infantry.  He was promoted to Sergeant on 9/2/1863 and transferred to Field and Staff on 3/9/1864 to serve as a Hospital Steward.

He was Mustered Out on 7/13/1865 at Washington, DC.

This exciting letter, written from the Headquarters of the 2^nd Corps Hospital near Burkes Station, VA on 4/16/65 perfectly illustrates the closing days of the Civil War’s Eastern Theater, with detailed descriptions of the final campaign against Lee, the assassination of President Lincoln, and the condition of the paroled southern army.

“We have hung upon the very footsteps of Lee’s Army from the time we routed him from Petersburg & Richmond until he was last compelled to surrender.  We captured all his artillery and trains even to his private baggage.  He held out as long as he could. No Gen. could do more.  He surrendered on the conditions that his men should all retain their Private Property.  But all government property was given over.  Most of the Rebel Cavalry were mounted on private horses and were allowed to return home with them.  The Rebel Army under Lee were all paroled and allowed to return home as soon as they pleased. They are most of them engaged in sowing and planting their Spring Crops.  The most of them seem glad to know that the War is at least over.”

In a reference to the emancipated slaves, he makes a reference that is crude and offensive but somewhat more common for the time, and says they were told “they might go where they pleased for they had nothing more to do with them.”

A haunting paragraph reads “We received a dispatch from Washington last evening that President Lincoln, Secretary Seward and Son were assassinated while attending a Public Amusement (Grover’s Theatre I believe). I hope the report may prove to be a false one for it looks very bad indeed and is a disgrace to the country.  I hope the offenders may be taken and punished as they deserve.”

A few lines about the beauty of the Spring surroundings gives way to his closing paragraph; “The men are all in the best of spirits for they know that they will soon be permitted to return to home and friends once more, at least all volunteer forces.  Oh by the way the old 2^nd Corps was in the advance the day Lee’s Army surrendered, consequently get most of the praise, and they well deserve it for they hung upon Lee’s rear like a Bloodhound after its Victim.”

The unique letter is written in ink on lined paper, folded vertically and horizontally into 6 parts for fitting in the small cover.  The cover is opened at the left side and is addressed to Charles J. Smith Esq. Morris, Ostego County, NY.  A 3-cent stamp and partially blurred postmark are present at upper right.

Few letters can match the topical content of this piece.  A true primary accounting of the closing days of the Civil War.  [cm][ph:L]

Inquire About EXCELLENT LETTER – EZRA CRISTMAN, 152nd NY – EXTENSIVE END OF WAR CONTENT