Calvaryman Tells of Capturing A Confederate Major and Appropriating His Horse

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017

Union soldier letter written and signed by George Law who enlisted on 10/13/1862 as a Private, into "A" Co. RI 2nd Cavalry, on 8/24/1863 he transferred into "F" Co. LA 1st Cavalry, he was transferred out on 1/14/1864, on 1/14/1864 he transferred into "I" Co. RI 3rd Cavalry, was discharged on 10/11/1865 at New Orleans, LA. the 4pp letter is datelined Newton La., Nov 21, 1863. In part, “It is Sunday today ... I have saddle up four times today and each time under false alarms ... but I have a good horse and keep up with the best of them. I have not had him but a few days. He has got a bullet in his rump but it does not hurt him a bit. the Colonel has offered me his best horse for him but he cant get him. I got him from a rebel major that I captured the other day. I will tell you how we done it. Last wednesday afternoon we were ordered to take 100 rounds of cartridges and be in the saddle at 12 o’clock that night we went out around about 15 miles to get around a body of rebs that were camped about 4 miles from our camp ... we formed in line of battle and as it got a little tighter we could see the rebs running to and fro. We know then that it was a the infantry ... engaged them and drawed their attention that way so that they did not discover us in their rear until it was too late. ... our regt was then ordered to charge, we got all mixed up with the rebs so that we could not tell which was our own men ... I rode up to one fellow ... and he had the saddle off from his horse and was about to escape on foot when I noticed a star on his collar. Istantly I whipped out my revovler and fired one over his head. Then I came round and put my gun in his face and told him I take you prisoner in the name of the United States. .... So he is now a guest of Uncle Sam and I have his fine horse to ride ...”

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