Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
War-date Union soldier's Fredericksburg battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written, on patriotic stationery, by Pvt. David W. Sharpe, Co. B, 1st Conn. Hvy. Art.,"Camp near Fredericksburg, [Va.], 1st Reg't. Co. B, C. V. Art., Jan. 1, 1863," in part: "…we left Fort Richardson the 20th of December and were told that we were going to take a battery of siege guns [to] assist in the taking of Fredericksburg…we were ordered to leave everything behind except our shelter tents, overcoats and one blanket. After we got here General Burnside said he should keep us with the army…this battle here has proved an entire failure. We occupy the same position we did before the battle. Our battery is planted on a hill about half a mile from Fredericksburg with the river between. We could see about half of the battle ground. Our men fought like tigers but it was of no use. They charged on the rebel batteries three times and were met by a terrible shower of grape & canister shot, shell and bullets which mowed them down by hundreds. Our army is all back this side of the river…I had an adventure with the rebs the day after our army recrossed the river. I was going down to a spring near the river to fill a canteen when a squad of rebels fired at me. The bullets struck pretty close to me. I filled my canteen and went back. They fired at me as long as I was in sight. I put up my canteen, borrowed an Enfield and went down to give them a little back. I got behind a haystack and commenced firing at them. I shot at one fellow just as he was drawing bead on me…only his head and breast was in sight. I think my bullet went through his heart for his gun went off in the air. The bullet whistling over my head…he fell dead across the ridge. The body lay there a few minutes when one of his comrades reached over, took the body my the feet and dragged it behind the ridge. I wounded another…he had to be carried off on a stretcher. I fired about a dozen shots. They fired several shots pretty close to me. The pickets do not fire at each other now. The rebels are throwing up breastworks on then opposite bank of the river. What do you think of Burnside now. I think…Little Mac is the only man fit to lead this army. The army is discontented and a great many say they will not cross the river again under Burnside. MacClellan is more popular than ever with the army…D. W. S." Near fine
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