Auction Item Details
Lot 4
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Lot Number: 4
Description: UPDATED DESCRIPTION: April 18, 1864 Date letter from Civil War soldier injured at Gettysburg - Exceptional baseball content. Handwritten letter dated April 18, 1864 was sent by George W. Richards, a solider with the 33rd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment then stationed in Lookout Valley in Tennessee. NOTE: The soldier of note SAW action at Gettysburg (where he was wounded in July of 1863) he enjoyed downtime playing baseball and sent this highly detailed account to a friend back home. Outstanding content throughout reads in part, "...Ball playing is the order of the day here now. In the last week we have had three match games of ball besides a Brigade drill, a general inspection, and a review by Gen Thomas. The first two were Wednesday with Gen Hookers Orderlys…according to the rules of the New England Association of ball players and we beat them so quick they wanted to play another..." It goes on to detail the scoring and makes mention of another game (clearly played under different rules) which stretched many hours and ended in a score of "70 to their 67." So skilled was the team that "The Col issued the following order which was read on our dress parade...The Col commanding compliments the Reg on its ball playing and congratulates them on the victory gained, and would recommend that they give no challenges but accept all that offered..." Substantive baseball related pieces from this formative period in the games' history are few and far between and the offered, a charming letter written by a participant in some of most important events of the day, is among our favorites. In fine overall condition with a touch of handling wear. Includes the original mailing envelope: EXEstimated Price Range: ($2,500-$5,000)
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