Raynors HCA 2020-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2020
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Pvt. John A. True, Co. G, 36th Ohio Vols., Meadow Bluffs, [Virginia, soon to be West Virginia] to "Dear Home", concerning the expedition to Salt Sulphur Springs, in part: "…last Saturday night companies G & D started on a scout and marched all night until 7 a. m.when they stopped…the rest of the brigade came up…the 44th, 36th & 47th O. V. I. [and] the artillery 4 10 lbs howitzers and two rifled guns and the 2nd battalion of Bollises cavalry. [Col. William M. Bolles, 2nd West Virginia Cavalry]. The object of the move was to form a close acquaintance with General Heath [Henry Heth.] Early sunday morning the brigade started on their visit to Gen. Heath and to join companies G & D who had gone out to catch the rebel pickets but did not succeed…the rebels were camped at Salt Sulphur Springs and as soon as he heard of Crook's [famed Indian War general George Crook as colonel of the 36th Ohio Vols.] advance turned up his old jewsharp and began playing that same old tune S-K-A-D-D-D-L-E. Our forces camped monday night within two miles of the rebel camp and our pickets heard their teams running all night which was…conveying off their baggage, etc, but they…[left] behind some hard bread, flour and bacon…they also left their iron bake ovens which they had to bake flour in…we captured some horses and wagons which their teamsters had not time to get away…our men found 150 head of beef cattle which were very fine ones…their desires to confiscate was so great that they actually did confiscate the whole drove. On their return they came through…Union…after passing through an old contraband, whose master had gone to Heath's force…taking 8 horses and a wagon…[left] behind the darkie and four more horses, telling him to stay and take care of the farm. [The contraband] concluded if the C. S. A. needed eight horses and a driver Uncle Sam would be glad to accept 4…a wagon and [a] driver so he concluded to hitch up the fine bloods, but the stable was locked…his mistress had the key in her pocket. He got a pick and knocked the lock to pieces, his mistress standing by crying and wringing her hands…asking…what she would do if he left her alone. He said…how ye get along [be]fore he cumd da-rh. So he just hitch mitt quick and hurry after de yankees. He is now gone to Gauley with his team for hard bread for the yankees to break their teeth upon. His loyalty will be rewarded as also his master's disloyalty providing he is caught. Another thing we found out [was] how many the enemy carried off from the battle of Lewisburg. They acknowledge to have taken off 104 wound[ed] of whom 62 died on the way to Union…several more have since died…we have a Richmond paper…in which there is an acct. of the battle…it says their loss…in killed…wounded and prisoners 280. The prisoners amounted to a little over 100 men. Had we fought 6 or 7 hours and suffered great fatigue Col. George [Crook] would be made a real instead of nominal brigadier. 3 p. m. just been out with Sergt. T. J.l Startey in search of something green…sace(?) is scarce in the 3rd brigade except from degenerate humanity…[we] found the trees all barren…the vines had taken counsel of their secesh owners and neglected to bring forth their fruit for yankee consumption. We got along very well for a while until we came to a swamp covered with older bushes as thick as they could stand…we were attacked by a band of ***…they attacked us in front and rear…and finally did succeed in turning our right flank when we fled in…confusion to camp where we are safe enough now…". The original transmittal cover is also included with endorsement of Lieut. Ernest Lindner, as adjutant 36th Ohio Vols. in lower left margin. Both overall VG.
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