Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
War-date Union soldier's letter, 12pp. 8vo, written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., "Head Quarters 2nd Corps near Cold Harbor, Va., June 2-6, 1864," in very, very small part: "The rear of the Corps passed us…about one o'clock and we immediately fell in and marched…at almost a double quick. The dust was so thick that it was difficult breathing…near Salem Church or Haw's Shop I saw the first negro soldiers I have ever seen. They belonged to Burnsides Corps and were on picket…I boiled mine within two yards of two dead men for whom the pioneers were than digging a grave. I presume they died in the ambulances…we are moving in a parallel line with our line of battle…considerable straggling…our Corps is now on the extreme left and is getting rapidly into position…before I got to camp a very heavy fight began on the right. We could distinctly hear the yells of our men above the roar of the musketry and cannon…it is the 5th Corps which is engaged. The 6th Corps made a charge here last night. No great advantage was gained by it…the fighting on the right continues with unabated fury until after dark…a great battle will be fought here tomorrow…[Friday, June 3rd]…we were effectually roused…at daybreak by a very brisk cannonade…we fell in with nothing but guns and accouterments and started for…where a desperate fight was in progress. We went up a road directly behind a battery of our and of which the Rebs had a perfect range. The shells whistled round us so close…that I thought some of us must be hit…about half of us were deployed along the road and the rest took the shelter of some earthworks…our Corps made a charge this morning with the intentions of taking the by surprise but they were found ready to receive us…we only succeeded in driving in their skirmishers, capturing a part of them and taking possession of their rifle pits…the shelling was almost incessant….a drizzling rain…added nothing to the comfort of the wounded…during the forenoon Gen. Grant and staff passed us and rode out to the extreme front, but he soon returned and one of the orderlies following him told me that the Johnnies got sight of him and sent a perfect shower [of] minnie balls after him…he rode along very slowly, smoking as usual…we had just got supper ready…when the rebels made an attack on our Corps, but were repulsed…about 30 prisoners being brought in we took charge of them…[June 4th]…skirmishing and artillery firing have been kept up all day along the entire line…the men are busily engaged in building forts and earthworks…a regular siege will be laid to their works as we are now so close to their base that flanking is almost…out of the question…reported that General Grant has ordered that no more assaults be made…[June 5th]…the Rebels kept up a desultory fire from their batteries all through the day. Our forces do not seem too anxious to fight today…it is almost certain death for a man to raise his head above the rifle pits. Cavalrymen…from White House Landing…say that there is an almost incredible number of stragglers form the 18th Corps. Abe Schoot of the 148th is wounded…I was sent up to Birney's Headquarters this afternoon with about fifty stragglers. A flag of truce was sent out this P. M. on our left in charge of a Col. from army headquarters and Major Mitchell of Gen. Hancock's staff. There are large numbers of dead and wounded lying between the lines which it is impossible for either side to get to…the flag is net with the object of procuring a cessation of hostilities long enough to bury the dead and remove the wounded who have lain there since Friday…the armistice could not be agreed on as the firing has not slackened in the least. About half past eight P. M. when the firing had nearly ceased…we begun to think of going to bed. A heavy musketry fire suddenly commenced on the left…we fell in again and stared out in the dark. The shells and bullets whistled very close…but fortunately no one in the guard was injured…stacked arms…waiting to see if any prisoners were brought in we returned to camp…I ma very sorry to say that Capt. McCune lost a leg by a shell while standing in front of Head Quarters and but a few feet from Gen. Hancock's tent. He was just preparing to mount his horse to accompany us. He was a good fellow and well liked…when we came here Friday Capt. Cauvet said he hoped they would not pitch Headquarters there as it was a low disagreeable place. Capt. McCune said he hoped they not either…the boys thinking the Rebs were advancing rose up…and commenced firing…the artillery followed suit. There is something terrible about this fighting in the night…[June 6th]…one shell struck a few yards from Headquarters killing two men and a horse. The men were engaged in eating their suppers. A shell thrown by the Rebels was brought in to headquarters today and on being opened was found to contain (151)…small balls…it is contrary to the usages of war to use such missiles…Major Mitchell went out with a flag of truce again this afternoon. It was carried by an orderly mounted on w awhile horse…a Rebel belonging to the 13th N. C., who was taken prisoner today, [says] that the Rebs received heavy reinforcements from their Western Army…they are bringing up siege guns from Richmond…he says they have got every man from North Carolina but they would not have got him if they had not burned the woods and sifted the ashes…some of these fellows language is very amusing…their vedettes will call out to ours and ask "Why do you'sen fire at we'sen when we'sen don't fire at you'sen? Lively skirmishing and cannonading on the right about nine o'clock…". Unsigned, but the original stamped transmittal cover is included. Overall VG
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