Raynors HCA 2017-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Charles W. Manning, Co. B, 13th Mass. Vols., Antietam, Maryland, Aug. 11, 1861, in part: "…have been moving around all the time since we left Boston…when we arrived here…we have to go on guard every other day…I dated it Sharpsburg because I dod not know the name of the place then, but it is 3 miles from Sharpsburg down the river. There is only 2 companies here A & B. 4 companies we left in town & the others are scattered all along the river. It is a splendid place…our camp is right on the edge of the river& we improve the opportunity to in bathing every morning…we got up a scouting party & went caroused the river onto the Virginia side. While poking around we found some calves…we put two or three balls into one of them and then cut his throat then lunged him down to the river & waded across…next morning a man came to look after his lost calf but the officers told us to keep mum…they questioned him a little & found him to be a Secessionist & so they just showed him into the Guard House. That makes 3 or 4 that we have taken already…our regiment has had a harder time then any other Mass. Regts…with the exception of a diarrhea that we have all had throughout the regiment. It is caused by drinking the clay water that we have here…I am o guard today and as my time is about up I will bid you Good Bye…C. W. Manning." The original transmittal cover is included. Minor soiling, else VG
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