Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
War-date Union soldier's skirmish content letter, 4pp. 8vo., written, on very rare patriotic "Jeff Davis Going To War" stationery by Musician Samuel Fleming, Co. A, 78th Penn. Vols., "Camp Frank Reynolds near Ridgeville, Alabama, June 1," [1862], in part: "…we left Camp Sirwell the 2 of May and have been marching and countermarching pretty much ever since we have been in Alabama. This is the third time we came here…left our knapsacks, our tents and all we possessed except our guns, cartridge boxes, canteens, blankets and feed bags back at Pulaski, Tenn…we are 4 miles from the Tennessee river. When we came here…there was a Rebel force on the other side. Their pickets fired on ours every day for several days…we have tow cannon here so the Col. went down with them and two companies of infantry. There was three houses on the other side where the Rebels fired from so the cannon shelled the houses. The first shot struck the corner of one of them…they shelled the Rebels out of sight but failed to burn the houses so three of Co. C volunteered to swim the river and set them on fire. They accordingly striped off their cloths and started on their perilous journey. The river is 800 ids wide. Our heroes gained the opposite shore and in a few minutes the buildings were enveloped in flames and out boys loosed a small ferry boat and brought it safe to this side. The Rebels made no opposition so that ended the fun…I was sergeant of the guard yesterday [1st Lt.] John Marlin [WIA Stones River, Tenn. 12/31/62] was officer of it. There is no troops here but our Regt and two companies of cavalry, two pieces [of artillery]…if all reports is true there is quite a number of young soldiers in that country…as I live some of them will rue things they have said…the man or woman that says I seduced that girl is a D_d liar and they had better be careful of what they say…I volunteered to serve my country during the present war and…I am resolved to do my duty…and when that is done there will be a time [to] talk these things over…S. Fleming". Addressed to James C. Carnahan who later enlisted as drummer in the 78th but died of disease shortly after the battle of Murfreesboro. A bit light, else VG
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