Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
Confederate Stonewall Brigade battle 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), Winchester, [Va.], May 26, 1862, in part: "…we started across the mountain at New Market. We all thought [Stonewall] Jackson was leaving the valley for good, but the next day we heard that Ewell had taken one whole regiment prisoners and when we got to Front Royal I saw them. Jackson's Division was not in the first day skirmish but pitched in next day taking a large number of prisoners, wagons, etc. The Yankees ran in every direction leaving guns, haversacks, blankets and a large amount of Sutlers' goods all along the road from Strasburg to Winchester, but when they got to town they made a stand and drew up in line of battle…they did not hold their position long. Our boys never made a halt but just run write in among them and they put out leaving a large amount of medicines, guns and goods of every description. They set all the houses affair that contained their goods, but we got in so quick that they could not burn them all. They burned Charles Coonty's buildings & several buildings above there. They had five hundred sacks of salt in Coonty's house. The family saved nothing except their clothes. I pity Mr. Coonty. He just got home in time to see his property fall in. He is homeless now. The Yankees have not treated the people as badly as I expected they would. They burned all the fences around town with that exception everything looks about as well as usual. The ladies all seem very glad that we have got back. They say we must stay this time, but I doubt whether we stay here long. They have too many ways to reinforce here. We will be very apt to go down to Martinsburg and destroy the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. We burned the bridge at Harpers Ferry last night. Ewell's division has gone on toward Martinsburg. Our cavalry caught one hundred Yankees last night about one mile from Martinsburg. In all we have about 2,300 prisoners and they are still coming in. Our loss in killed and wounded is about 250. One of our company was struck with a spent ball. The skin was not broken. The artillery suffered badly two killed and six wounded. Jonathan Agon & a man from Maryland was killed. Frank Preston had his arm broken. Mark Davis was shot in the leg [also wounded in the head at Malvern Hill, Va., 7/1/62 & WIA Cumberland Church, Va., 4/7/65], David Moore was struck with a piece of a shell, John Moore was struck on the head. Several others [were] scratched. They will all get well. There was one man killed in our regiment Abraham McFadin. He lived in Brushy Hill. Poor man. I do wish this war would close for I do not want to see any more men killed or wounded but I plainly see it will not be settled until a large number are killed…this excitement and confusion is very disagreeable to me. I would give the next five years of my life if I could enjoy the peace and quiet of home…as I am tired...J. W. Middleton…". A bit light, else VG
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