American Historical Ephemera and Photography, Featuring African Americana

Autograph letter signed ("E.A.W."), Folly Island, S.C., 17 September [1863]. 2pp, 5 x 8 in. (large portion dampstained, two very small losses in lower third of letter). Letter is written on the blank areas of a printed "General Order" issued at Morris Island, S.C. on 2 September 1863.

Wild writes to his mother just a few days after the African American troops he commanded took part in the heroic capture of Fort Wagner and Fort Gregg at Morris Island, South Carolina. Initially Wild discusses the anniversary of his amputated arm, then riding through violent storms during an attack by Confederate troops and falling into a ten-foot deep entrenched fortification while still on his horse. He closes sharing the news of their recent battles won, and the bravery of his men: "Wagner & Gregg have fallen. Some of my men were of the foremost to rush into them. They being out all night in the trenches, armed themselves with pikes from the ditch of Wagner, and rushed upon Gregg, ahead of everything."

[With:] Letter signed ("Edwd. A. Wild / Col. 35th Mass. Vols" to the Honorable Mr. Ogden, Consul General for U.S.A., at Quebec, Canada, requesting a testimonial on the personal character of William Nicholas Reed of Ross, Canada West. Boston, 13 April 1863. On letterhead from "Commonwealth of Massachusetts / executive Department." 2pp, 6 x 7 1/2 in. (creasing). -- Letter signed ("Edwd. A. Wild / Brig. Gen. Vols. / Late Capt. Co. A 1st Mass. Vols." A recommendation for William T. Damon for the post of commissary. Boston, 4 May 1863. 1p, 3 x 6 in. (creasing, residue on verso).

[Also with:] War-date CDV of Wild by Whipple, 96 Washington Street, Boston. Undated, but image was taken prior to the September 14, 1862, Battle of South Mountain after which a wound necessitated the amputation of Wild's left arm.

Brigadier General Edward A. Wild was a Harvard-educated physician who early in the war was commissioned a captain in the 1st Massachusetts Infantry. After suffering a severe wound at the Battle of Seven Pines, he was later promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 35th Massachusetts Infantry. At the Battle of South Mountain he suffered a wound that necessitated the amputation of his left arm. Returning home to recuperate, Wild performed recruiting duties including for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry regiment. When he returned to field duties, he took command of a brigade of black infantry known as "Wild's African Brigade" which was composed of the 55th Massachusetts Infantry, a sister regiment of the famed 54th Mass., and the 2nd and 3rd North Carolina Colored Volunteers (later the 36th and 37th USCT).