From 2 to 8 pp. each, in ink, various sizes. All but 6 with their original envelopes, but the stamps have been cut out.

Exceptional collection of original letters from the final year of the Civil War, as Union forces were closing in on Robert E. Lee in northern Virginia. They are well written, both legible and highly readable, presenting a vivid picture of the action and events during this key period, and the effects on the populace, with mention of African Americans. The 179th New York Volunteer Infantry, 9th Army Corps, was organized at Elmira, New York, in the spring of 1864, and the letters are addressed to Andrews’ father and siblings in North Reading, Schuyler County, New York. During much of its existence, the 179th was involved in the long and bloody Richmond-Petersburg campaign, often referred to the Siege of Petersburg. Andrews began as a second lieutenant, and was promoted to first lieutenant. The first of the letters was sent from City Point, VA, and he notes that “There are very strong fortifications all around this point, and thousands of soldiers to guard it. Gen. Grant’s Head Quarters are but a few rods from where I am writing…” The following day: “The 179th is in the very extreme front. We are encamped on the battlefield of last Friday. The rebel fortifications are in plain sight, not over a half mile distance and every little while we can see men moving along their fortifications. Our position is a strong one….” On October 11: “I eat dirt and filth of all kinds and drink dirtier water than you can find in the Empire state, yet I am well. I can get along without everything else, but I long constantly for a drink of water such as I could get at home… I witnessed an execution last Friday. A deserter of the 2nd Maryland was shot in the presence of our whole division. He was a hardened wretch and met his fate with stoical indifference. He spent the day before his execution in playing cards and when he marched to his grave it was with a firm step. But it was a hard sight to see him sit cooly down on his coffin and look up at the squad of men who were to shoot him. And then the handkerchief was tied over his eyes, the men fired, he dropped back on his coffin, the blood streaming from his head and breast down over the sides of it…” October 31: “It was supposed we were going around to the right to reinforce Butler and make a heavy strike there, but before night the current of camp talk changed and it became a fixed fact that the blow was to be struck here at the left and the South Side Rail Road to become ours… At three our brigade was on the march. It was quite dark and I could but faintly see the column as regiment after regiment fell into line. The Negro Division was on the extreme left. I could not see them distinctly but I could smell them…” and later, “There was a cleared field and at the opposite side of it I found the regiment holding some breastwork just vacated by the rebels. They had not been under fire at all. Still ahead of them was the Negro Division which was skirmishing with the enemy, and many were the stories of the Darkies bravery. It was said they charged on some breastworks and many were bayoneted as they came upon them, but with a yell they pressed right on and drove the rebs from them….” On January 21, 1865: "Sat night one man from N.H. Regt. attempted to desert and was shot dead. His body was left on the ground the next day. Numerous executions have nearly stopped Northern desertions, but Rebel desertions are numerous. A man from his reg’t. was hung on Saturday shortly after Andrews arrived. He was pardoned by Grant but the pardon arrived 2 hours after the execution. His innocence was proved, but he lies at the foot of the scaffold a murdered man and his regiment is unjustly disgraced because of it..." A truly fascinating and historically significant series of letters.