Ex-Andersonville POW, Wounded, Responds to Lincoln Author

The Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment of Volunteer Infantry was recruited in August 1862 under the call of President Lincoln and consisted of 1,006. The regiment fought in many battles, including White Sulphur Springs, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor and Petersburg.

William W. Fish was 19 when he enlisted into “C” Co. of the NH 11th Infantry. He was wounded at Fredericksburg on Dec. 13, 1862, was taken prisoner at Wilderness on May 6, 1864, and held at Andersonville Prison. According to one account, he met John Whipple at Andersonville, a member of his company. Whipple died before he could be exchanged and Fish later married his widow.

John E. Boos was born in Albany, NY, in 1879. He worked as a clerk and a library assistant and is best remembered for compiling personal reminiscences about the life of Abraham Lincoln. He began soliciting firsthand recollections in 1910 from Lincoln’s contemporaries through letters and personal interviews. His collections became significant in size and content. Some are at the Library of Congress and the Abraham Lincoln Personal Library.

In a one page, 7 ¼” x 6 ½”, ALS, Mount Vernon, NH, Dec. 7, 1931, Fish writes to Boos “…I will say that I have before me a letter from you of Oct. 30 – 1930 saying that you were very thankful for the fine letter about my service and asking for some further details about Lincoln as he received the 9th Army Corps on April 25th, 1864. I think that I received 3 letters from you. It must be very interesting to get word from so many Veterans and others who saw him.

“Yours Sincerely,

“Wm. W. Fish,

“Past Dept. Commander

“NHGAR

“Present Dept. Chaplain

“Late of Co. C, 11th NH Volunteers”

Also included is a printed copy of Fish’s Memorial Day speech given to Veterans in New Hampshire.

Letter is tipped to another sheet, but is very readable and in excellent condition. The speech has folds, toning, minor foxing.

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