Fascinating collection of material related to Lt. Charles H. Burd, 4th Maine Volunteers, who was shot in the head at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, captured by the rebel forces, and held in the Confederacy's notorious Libby Prison for nine months before an exchange back to the Union. The group is comprised of letters related to Burd's imprisonment and release, including an ALS by Burd written from Libby Prison, December 30, 1861, in part: "I hoped to go home with the first lot of officers, but I find such is not to be the case. I hope that ere long I may be with you , but if I am not, rest assured that I shall meet whatever may befall me like a man. I am rapidly recovering my usual health and spirits, although my wound has not healed, nor does it show much signs of it. It will probably be months before I am again well." As it turned out, the bullet had penetrated Burd's skull and remained lodged in his brain.
Further includes LS from Lorenzo Thomas to Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, January 21, 1862, in part: "Major General Wool has been directed to propose the exchange of Lieutenant Charles H. Burd…for some person held as a prisoner by the United States." This must have been in response to an ALS by Hamlin, also present, dated a month earlier, stating that he will "call the attention of the Secy of War to the case of Lieut Burd."
Subsequent letters, signed "J. W. Brown," dated February 27 and March 5, 1862, discuss Burd's wound and surgery. The first, from Fort Monroe, in part: "I found Chas. quite comfortable…He removed here…to have his head operated upon. He had a terrible wound…To-day it has been performed. Two of the most skillful surgeons in the U. S. removed the balance of the ball, which had passed thro' both tables of the skull and was embedded in his brain. It was knitted to the bone, and was a most delicate job. His life hung by a thread. Thank God, it is removed and he is quite smart. He is now walking the room."
Brown's second letter, in part: "I left Chas. in good health and first rate spirits…I brought home the bullet taken from his head at Ft. Monroe, & have also the piece taken out by Dr. Banks in the field. They make quite a lump of lead. The last piece has the bone adhering to it which was broken when it was taken away…Chas. is fat, strong, & is a good deal more of a man than when he left us, in mind & body. He says he went away a democrat, a pro-slavery man, he comes back a rank abolitionist. He has seen the masters, and I presume that satisfied him…I saw a great many interesting sights among the rest Abraham Lincoln and lady."
Also includes a DS signed by Edwin M. Stanton appointing Burd to the Invalid Corps, some other related letters and documents, and two carte-de-visite portraits of Burd. In overall very good to fine condition.
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
