Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
Confederate Stonewall Brigade letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. John W. Middleton (1835-1907), Co. H, 27th Virginia Infantry, (WIA & POW Pickett's Charge, Gettysburg 7/3/63), "Camp near Unger's Store," Jan. 9, 1861[2], in part: "…we left our camp at Winchester…Dec. 30 and marched down near Martinsburg where we camped…before proceeding…our company was taken from the Regt. with one company from each of the other regts in the brigade. It was these tow companies under the command of Major Paxton that went to Martinsburg. The next day we were joined by [Turner] Ashby's Cavalry and two pieces of artillery when we went to Dam No. 5 where we worked all night. There were several shots fired at us but no one was hurt. Next day we moved back about 3 miles and cooked our rations…next night we went back to the dam and our company was on picket. The workmen on the dam got done about 1 o'clock when we all left. (Having been first ay one hundred times yet no one was hurt.) We came two miles up the river where we cooked one day's rations…we took up the line of march (under he command of Col. Ashby) by Hedgeville across the mountains and creeks…the road runs up the river all they way. We marched till dark when we halted…we put up our tents…when we heard that General [Stonewall] Jackson had surrounded the Yankees at Bath when we put out marching 9 miles in 3 hours arriving at Bath about one hour after our men had taken possession of the place, but the enemy had all gone across the mountains running the militia back and crossing the river at Capron Bridge. That night we slept in the hotel at Bath without our blankets. Next day we marched down to Hancock where we lay in the woods all day…it snowed all night and was dreadfully cold…I never suffered as much…nothing to eat for 36 hours, wood to cut, fires to build and no blankets…we left…and came back here to Unger's Store…we have about six hundred wagons along all heavy loaded and ground as slick as glass. I saw horses fall hard enough to kill them. Half the horses in our train are crippled in some way…since we left Winchester. We are here between the mountains with heavy loads, bad roads, creeks to cross and the snow melting…the prospects of getting out from here are very gloomy and I do not know how we are to get provisions from Winchester…we are here between the mountains without he enemy at Hancock (20 miles in our rear) at Romney and at Williamsport…suppose they should march upon Winchester which way are we to get out?…General Jackson has over done the thing this time and…he cannot undue them now...J. W. Middleton…". VG
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