Large letter grouping related to Joseph T. Cotton, a native of Gilmanton, New Hampshire who served in the 12th New Hampshire Infantry during the Civil War. Cotton was severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. Of the ~19 letters included in this lot, at least 14 are dated 1861-1865, while the rest are post-war. Also included is a surgeon’s discharge certificate, not issued to Cotton, but perhaps to one of his friends or relatives.

In the wartime letters, Cotton discusses war news, family matters, and his recovery after being wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Many of the letters are written by Cotton while hospitalized. Several letters are written on impressive stationary- one has a colorized engraving of the newly completed Capitol Building (with rotunda) in Washington DC. Another, on the verso of the letter itself, bears an engraved scene of charging soldiers entitled “Battle of Fair Oaks- June 1st 1862.”

Interesting group of letters that offers insight into the perspective of Joseph T. Cotton, who is described in the 12th NH regimental history as a “good, brave soldier, a kind neighbor, and a true-hearted man.”




[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Paper Ephemera]