Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
War-date Union soldier's scouting letter, 8pp. 8vo., on patriotic stationery, written by Pvt. Thomas J. Bond, Co. G, 2nd Ohio Vols., West Liberty, [KY], "Camp Leslie Combs", Oct. 28, [1861], in part: "…about the little fight we had on last Wednesday morning…they was 21 dead bodies found in the woods. We still…the town. Our company is stationed in the Burns house. When we entered the town we all rushed for the houses to get things. They got various articles such as rifles, pistols, knives a foot or 15 inches long, blankets, quilts, all kinds of butter, honey…a boy got a set of silver spoons worth $25…I got a nice woolen blanket…nice knife…and some other little articles…we captured some horses, cattle, hogs, chickens…all kinds of animals. The people have commenced to come back…they was told by the Sesessionist that we would kill women and children and burn their houses but they have got to see that the Ohio boys don't do as they thought…they was not a human being to be seen in the town when we entered it. The rebels had the road blockaded to keep us from entering, but they was fooled for we traveled a few miles further…and clean[ed] out in less than twenty minutes…we could see them cralling on their hands and knees to get out of our way…our next place will be Prestonsburgh where there are a lot of rebels congregated…they say that they have got several cannon their but we have got 7 pieces of cannon and there is 3 regiments of Ohio Boys. We will give them particular thunder. Our company was detached for picket duty. I am on picket gard at the present time…they is some of the best looking girls that I ever saw in one place…but they are the greenest set I ever saw. On the 31st our company started on a scouting expedition. We left camp…by path and we went single file for…8 mile[s] to a big road…got behind the enemy…hid in a cornfield…was waiting for them in ambush when we missed our guides…we thought they had gone to betray us to the enemy…we started back [on] the path…we got lost and laid down…we was awakened by two small boys hunting posom. They had a torch…we got them to guide us…they guided us…about three miles to a house…we gave them a nice pen knife…about 75 cent and some crackers…we got another guide at the house…he guided us to the main road. While we was at the house they gave us as many sweet potatoes as we could carry…we got safe to our camp and slept soundly till morning. Our company and another company is quartered about 5 miles from our regt and 15 miles from Prestonsburgh…we expect the enemy on us every hour but we will give them a warm reception…I have got two blankets, one I captured…[Nov. 2]…our company and Company A, Capt. Bereyhil is 5 miles from our regt. We expected the enemy, the number of 500…we fixed our men in different positions. They was 20 men including I quartered in a log cabin. We had port holes in the cabin…we would [of] cut more…but they did not appear and it is well they did not…T. J. Bond." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Light soiling and spotting, else VG
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