Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
War-date Union soldier's letter, 10pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., "Headquarters 2nd Corps in the field near Petersburg, Va., Aug. 1, 1864", in part: "…on…the 26th…we were awakened at four a. m. and ordered to get breakfast immediately and pack up…a hundred rumors were…in circulation some asserting that Grant was to open on the enemy with four hundred pieces of artillery, others that we were going to move to the left and make an attempt to get possession of the Weldon R. R…we did not move but a few rods…out to the City Point road where we lay till dark waiting for the rear of the corps which came up at dusk. We fell in and followed with orders to shoot every men whom we should find committing any depredation at any house by the wayside…it was discovered we were on the wrong road…reached the Appomattox at daylight…pushed on to the James River…we crossed at Deep Bottom…the 1st Division was in advance sometime before daylight and when we arrived the[y] had driven the enemy from their position near the river capturing about sixty prisoners an four twenty pound Parrot guns. Nearly all of Sheridan's Cavalry…crossed the bridge…there was three Gun Boats and a Monitor lay in the river near where we affected the crossing. One of them threw one hundred pound shot and shell at the Johnnies…took a bath in the river…awakened…by the firing from the Gunboat Mendotola which lay down by the pontoon bridge. I learned her name from one of the crew…the Monitor which lay just above her bore the name…Saugus…I was detailed…a corporal to guard the brigade…about eight o'clock P. M. the 3rd Division commenced crossing back to the south of the river …early on Friday morning the cavalry began to cross back to the north side of the river but without their horses…I am informed by a Rebel prisoner that we are about eight miles…from Richmond and three miles below Drewery's Bluff…on Thursday afternoon Gen. Grant and Meade came up from City Point on the steamer Thomas Powell on a visit to Gen. Hancock Headquarters…the cavalry claim to have taken three stands of colors and five hundred prisoners. I saw t[w]o of the captured colors…Friday…our whole guard was sent o cut weeds…to muffle the bridge. We cut the stuff, but did not put it on the bridge until after dark. The corps commenced crossing soon after dark…we recrossed the Appomattox…daylight found us nearly in the rear of the 18th Corps. A heavy cannonade was already in progress in front of that corps and the Ninth. Our Corps was massed near Gen. Martindales Headquarters of the 18th Corps. Gen. Hancock established his headquarters there and we the guard remained there nearly all day…we had a good view of Petersburg or the steeples which is all that can be seen…the battle raged with occasional lulls…an assault was made on the left [the Mine Explosion] …two lines of works was carried but we…lost all we had gained. About four o'clock we were sent in advance of the corps to take possession of our old Headquarters…immediately commenced policing…the object for which we left has not been accomplished. We, the 2nd Corps, was sent to the North of the James river to draw the Rebs from our front at Petersburg…notwithstanding the assault failed. Everything has resumed the old style before Petersburg. There is some firing day and night…Geo. S. Youngs." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG
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