Civil War Correspondence — Louis West Froelick

25 autograph letters signed (“Louis West Froelick” or “Louis”), 92 1/2 pages (4to and 8vo), aboard the steamers Bugler, Baltimore and Philadelphia moored in and around Washington DC or Fort Monroe VA, 24 April – 30 July 1861, and at Camp Martin near Tennallytown (near Georgetown), 20 June  – 26 August 1862, to his friend and colleague at the New York Sun Albert Wiggers and 2 written to his Aunt; all formerly folded, a few fold tears or marginal dampstains. With an oval portrait photograph of his squad, 6 x 8 inches, taken in 1861, plus an autograph letter by his employer James G. Cooper to him, and an unrelated letter from 1866; some marginal dampstains and soiling.

all formerly folded, a few fold tears or marginal dampstains. With an oval portrait photograph of his squad, 6 x 8 inches, taken in 1861; some marginal dampstains and soiling.
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A fine collection of entertaining letters by a New Yorker of German extraction, who was a reporter for the New York Sun “embedded” in the 71^st New York Regiment. Froelick (d. 1912) and his regiment were responsible for ferrying troops and supplies to Alexandria, but he did see action at the Battle of Bull Run vividly described here. He was clearly a curious and talkative fellow, with an eye for the ladies, and with an avid interest in the local monuments and institutions. Of course, some portions or versions of his letters were published in the Sun, but they provide an unusual view of the infiltration of the army by the newspaper business. Indeed many of Froelick’s letters discuss the vicissitudes of his own shop (which apparently sold and distributed newspapers through carriers), and of the rivalry between carriers and newsstands for product, as if he were back in New York.

An inventory with highlights of the content is available on request.