Tensions run high after the battle of the Crater

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006

A good war-date Union officer's, 2pp. 8vo., letter written in ink by Lt. William H. Broughton, Co. D, 16th Maine Vols., [Petersburg, Va.], Aug. 3, 64 to his father giving a rare insight into the apprehensive feelings that existed in Petersburg's trenches after the battle of the Crater, reading, in part: "…I will write a few lines as I am going on Picket tonight. Since the assault on the 30th [the battle of the Crater] everything has been as still as death. I fear however that the Rebs are up to snuff…I…know what they are doing -they are undermining one of our forts. Our troops are digging now to intercept it. The fort I speak of is on our right about half a mile from us. It is also reported that they are undermining another one on the right of this, but they will be fooled…banquets are platforms built upon the inside of a fort for the infantry to fire over this parapet. Capt. Pennell is present but sick in Div. Hosp. He will resign as quick as he can get his papers fixed up. Don't let this be known publicly…have you got a lithograph of our winter quarters? I ordered one to be sent to you…". Ten days after his sixteenth birthday, Broughton enlisted in 1862 as a private in the 16th Maine. He became one of the army's youngest officers by being promoted to lieutenant by the end of the year. After the battle of Gettysburg, he commanded a company due to the heavy losses his regiment sustained during the battle. He served faithfully throughout the remainder of the war and was captured at the battle of Weldon Railroad, Va. on Aug. 13, 1864, and was paroled after being held a short time at Libby prison. He was discharged on June 5, 1865. Minor spotting, else very good.

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