CIVIL WAR - Small archive SOLDIER in R.I LIGHT ARTILLERY - William J. Bastian

Description

Group of 4 items from or related to William J. Bastian, a Civil War soldier who served in Battery "F", Rhode Island Light Artillery, 1862-1865, and was later a police officer in Lawrence, MA, and a member of the G.A.R. Post there.
Includes:
1) One of his personal pre-printed envelopes for people to write to him during the war, with his printed address:
"William J. Bastian, Battery 'F', R.I. LIGHT ARTILLERY, FOSTER'S DIVISION, NEWBERN, N.C."
.
2) 1+ pg. manuscript written by Bastian in 1885, detailing his life and Civil War service. Measures approx. 4-7/8" x 7-7/8". It reads (spelling corrected):
"I was born in Germany in the year of 1840, on the twenty first of September. I am now forty five years of age. I attended the public school in Germany for eight years.
I left Germany on the twentieth of September, 1854, and came to America in which I reside ever since. I served three years in the war, in Company F, First Regiment R.I. Light Artillery, of which I got an honorable discharge as a Sergeant. I enlisted April 3, 1862 and served until April 4th, 1865
I have been a resident of the City of Lawrence for the last twenty years, and I have been  Police Officer thirteen years, in this City."
3) Civil War date letter (1864), approx. 5-1/8" x 7-3/4", from his sister or sister in law "Lizzie" - a
partial letter
, being the final pg of a longer letter, but with
great content
, writing of 2 other brothers in the fighting in Grant's Overland Campaign, one who was wounded on May 5 (Battle of the Wilderness), the other in a ten days fight, (Battle of Spotsylvania Court House) having his cap shot off his head and a ball through his knapsack. The letter reads:
"There may be some things you would like to know and will be surprised that I have not told you, but I have written you so much in so many letters that you never received that I hardly know what to write. Brother George is at home again with a bad wound in his right arm. He was wounded the 5 of May in Northern Va. Robert was safe the 17th, but had been in a ten days fight. At one time his cap was shot off his head, and at another time a ball passed through his knapsack while it was on his back. Of the two dear last ones, I can say nothing. I would not, if I could, express my feelings to you. It would only distress you, but Oh it is very hard. Can you tell me anything of our poor sister and family. Do if you can. I have not heard a word in 18 months. George used to write to me but I have heard nothing from him either. Give my love to Annie. Oh what joy it would be to see her. I don't know what I shall do, dear William, when I see you - you need not be surprised at anything. Kiss dear little Will and let me hear soon, so I will know when to look for you.
Your ever Devoted Sister, Lizzie"
4) 1 pg. letter, Lawrence, Mass., Nov. 1, 1880, from the Sec. of the "Mayflower Colony No. 1, United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers", advising Wm. J. Bastian that he has been elected to membership, and to be present at Needham Hall on Nov. 8 for initiation.
Fine.
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[90]
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