The original letters, written from the Civil War battlefields and camps of Tennessee and Virginia to their uncle, and published in 1962 as "Respects to All": Letters of Two Pennsylvania Boys in the War of the Rebellion
(Edited by Aida Craig Truxall for the U. of Pittsburgh Press), comprising 44 autograph letters, signed by Adam Bright, 27 July 1861 - 14 April 1864, and 34 autograph letters, signed by Michael Bright, 22 October 1861 - 26 July 1863, most of each group to their uncle Emanuel Stotler at home in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania; accompanied by the publisher's file of working manuscripts and other material. 8vo. 296 total pages, approximately 30,000 words; some of the letters with a patriotic letterhead, most are addressed to their uncle, some to his wife, a few to "family," and several are from Adam to Michael, most accompanied by mailing envelopes. The following are also included:_(1) Truxall's original ribbon typescript for her transcriptions of the letters (4to, 148 pages, rectos only), some pages with editorial markings._(2) Truxall's original ribbon typescript of her manuscript for the book, including her preface, notes to the text, and other material, as submitted for publication, with many corrections, additions, and deletions by her editor at the University of Pittsburgh Press (4to, 152 pages, rectos only)._(3) Truxall's copy of the published book (8vo, 96 pp., illustrated, cloth and boards, dust jacket, very good), with the signature "Truxall" at the head of the front flap of the dust jacket._(4) File of Truxall's notes toward the project, genealogical material, historical material concerning various Pennsylvania military units serving in the Civil War, 1950s-era Civil War battlefield leaflets, three topographical maps of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area, and a few related newspaper clippings._(5) Carte-de-visite photograph of Corporal Adam Bright (3 1/2 x 2 1/4 inches, mounted on a slightly larger card), in uniform sitting in a studio, probably from 1864, with the backmark: "R.W. Addis / Photographer / 308 Penna Avenie / Washington, D.C." All of the letters folded. Some foxing and a little staining to a few of the letters, one repaired with tape, the envelopes worn and variously soiled and stained; some postage stamps still affixed. Item #53216
Adam Bright enlisted in the 9th Pennsylvania Infantry in early 1861 and served with his unit in the various campaigns of the Army of the Potomac until the unit was mustered out of service in April, 1864; he returned to civilian life in western Pennsylvania. His brother Michael enlisted in the 77th Pennsylvania regiment later in 1861 and served with that unit in the various campaigns of the Army of the Cumberland until killed in action on the first day at Chickamauga in September, 1863._"The accounts of camp living, the primitive practices of the army, the methods of handling the distribution of rations, the rumors of the immediate end of the war, always erroneous and probably the result of wishful thinking on the part of the soldiers, and the enlisted men's evaluations of the generals are all very interesting. But the most fascinating picture that emerges is that of two ordinary young men performing a duty that patriotism required of them in spite of the perils of battlefield and camp life while fighting the silent and lonely battle of homesickness which has always been the bane of soldiers" (from Harry R. Beck 's review in The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine, vol. 46, no. 1, Jan., 1863).
Price: $7,500.00