Item No. 7491120

Offered here is an interesting 1861 Civil War letter written by Philip Crewell, later of the 34th New York Volunteers. A bonus letter written by Crewell in August 1860 (as a civilian) is also included, making this listing for two letters. The first letter is of greater interest, however. Prior to enlisting it the 34th in June, Crewell busied himself helping towns in upstate New York fill their volunteer quotas, and was apparently making a tidy sum on the deal. Middlefield, German Flatts, and Columbia are all mentioned here. The letter reads, in full:

Watertown
Monday February 1, 1861

To Henry J. Crewell

Dear Brother,

Sir it is very lonesome today as there isn’t anything going on. The Provost Marshal is sick and he says there won’t be any mustering going on until tomorrow. We have here some 18 men to muster in and I have the names of 10 more tonight or in the morning. I see by the papers that there is a call for 2,000 more men. If so I will have all I can tend to for the next two months. The committee and the supervisor of Middlefield wants me to fill their quote of 52 and I was in hopes of filling the quote of German Flatts by Wednesday and then I would have five men left which I would take there. I only give the 275 and get 600 for them. If Dave get through with his work tell him not to hire out again as I think I can set him up so that he can make more in a week than he can there in a year. He is just such a fellow as we want to take men from here to such places as we will send him and he will share equal with us all if I could of filled German Flatts by the middle of the week. I should have made over $800 by a Saturday as I have three runners for me that go to Canada.

Now if it is so that there is nine hundred thousand more men to be reared the best thing Columbia can do is to send one of their commitment out as soon as they know this for certain.

My health is good but I have been very sick, so much so that I went to the Doc and got some medicines but I am well now in good health. I may come home next Saturday and may not. If business is lively I shan’t come.

Write if anything turns up that I am wanted.
No more yours
Philip Crewell

PS Say nothing about what I have write in regard to the filing the quote of Middlefield to no one.

The letter was written upon two pages, front and back, of a 7 3/4” x 9 3/4” stationery sheet. It is in excellent condition with very little wear to edges and corners, other than the left edge where Crewell removed this sheet from its twin. Little foxing and toning. Creased where originally folded.