2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
A great war-date Union soldier's, 3pp. 8vo., letter written in ink by Pvt. St. Clair Emerson, 1st New York Light Artillery, "In position near Cold Harbor, Va., June 7, 18645" to his sister concerning the fighting and flags of truce during the bloody battle of Cold Harbor, reading, in part: "… we have been in some pretty hard fights of late…I am alive and well yet. We have had three privates wounded and one Lieut.[1st Lt. Orasmus R. Van Ettan WIA June 5, 64] that is all our loss except a few horses. All seems to be quiet along our lines now. We have had a flag of truce out all the forenoon…to bury the dead and to take care of the wounded. it run out at noon…there is no firing yet…we are now within…ten miles of the Confederate Capital…some of our forces have crossed the Chickahominy river at Bottom's Bridge. General Grant is doing well…Richmond will be ours in a few weeks…it is generally thought throughout the army that this summer will end this cruel war…Father is at Fredericksburg sick, one of his regiment told me. I suppose you know he has enlisted…he is…to old…to stand soldiering…". The original stamped transmittal envelope is included. Emerson enlisted in late 1861 and served throughout the war, helping man the batteries guns defend "the angle" at Gettysburg during Pickett's Charge. VG.
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