ALTHOUGH I GENERALLY DEAL IN SPORTS COLLECTIBLES, I PERIODICALLY PUT UP ITEMS FROM MY BOOK AND MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION; I LOVE HISTORY ON ALL LEVELS.

THESE ITEMS CAME TO ME FROM A SELLER WHO PURCHASED THEM AT TWO REPUTABLE AUCTION HOUSES - RR AUCTIONS AND UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.

THE FIRST IS A FASCINATING LETTER FROM AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD PORTER MORSE OF COMPANY G FROM THE 3RD VERMONT BRIGADE. HE WRITES HOME TO HIS BROTHER AND SISTER BACK IN BURKE, VERMONT. THE UNIQUE LETTER HAS A LIKENESS OF GEN. McCLELLAND IN THE CORNER AND WAS PENNED ON OCTOBER 29TH 1861.

THE SECOND ITEM IS ONE I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. A DISCHARGE NOTICE FROM THE ARMY TO PRIVATE GEORGE McDOUNOUGH OF THE 160TH REGIMENT OF OHIO - DATED MAY 1864 AFTER SERVING 100 DAYS IN SERVICE. THIS FASCINATING DISCHARGE NOTICE STATES THAT THE PRIVATE IS 30 YEARS OF AGE, 5'6-1/2" TALL, DARK COMPLEXION WITH BLACK EYES AND HAIR. HE WAS A "FARMER" WHEN ENROLLED IN THE ARMY. ALSO SOME ADDITIONAL WRITING ON THE PAPER AS IT WAS PASSED ALONG OVER THE YEARS.

BOTH ITEMS EXHIBIT WEAR AND FOLDS, THE LETTER IN FINE CONDITION, THE DISCHARGE NOTICE HAS MULTIPLE FOLDS AND SLIGHT TEARS AT THE EDGES.

SIMPLY PRICELESS PIECES OF HISTORY!!