Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
In late 1864 the Union high command began to focus their energy towards destroying the South's vitally important salt mines at Saltville and the lead mines near Wytheville in south-western Virginia. The South desperately needed to protect this region from Union destruction. In early October Union General Stephen Burbridge led the first raid against Saltville which ended in disaster after he was defeated in battle and many of his colored troops where massacred following their capture. A second attempt was much more successful when Union Cavalryman George Stoneman captured Saltville in late December and burned the salt manufacturing facilities to the ground. Under the command of Brigadier General Alvan C. Gillem the 12th Kentucky Cavalry performed admirably while on the raid. They helped capture scores of Confederate soldiers and war supplies. Most of these supplies turned out to be of foreign manufacture having been successfully run through the blockade. These supplies were burned along with the warehouses that were used to store the contraband. While on the raid they also aided in the destruction of many bridges and vital transportation links vital. The raid ended with their successful return to camp at Knoxville, Tenn. after suffering minor losses of killed, wounded and captured. Bugler Josephus W. Pell 12th Kentucky (Union) Cavalry penned this exceedingly rare account of the raid, 4pp. 4to., that he titled, "Marches from Camp Nelson on the raid to King's saltworks, Va. & back to Knoxville, Tenn.," in small part: "…[Nov. 21] took up line of march from Camp Nelson at 2…marched 22 miles…[Nov. 23]moved out at daylight. Overtook the artillery at Big Rock, Castle River moved behind it…[Nov. 25]…pushed the battery up every hill…[Nov. 26]…arrived at Cumberland Gap after night…[Dec. 1]…had a skirmish with the Rebs on the Clinch Mountains & took the Gap, wounded 2 Rebs & none of us hurt. My Co. was on picket in the Gap…[Dec. 2]…moved on to Bean's station, skirmished some…[Dec. 3]…saddled at 10 P. M. moved out at daylight crossed the Holston River…to Russellville. My Regt was dismounted & skirmished some & took the town…captured some…[Dec. 6]…moved camp…above Bean Station…was inspected by lute. Col. Coles chief of Gen. Burbridge's staff…[Dec. 7]…turned over [our] guns to draw carbines…[Dec. 9]…laid in camp & drawer sabers…[Dec. 12]…passed through Rodgersville, Tenn. marched 50 miles…[Dec. 13]…had a skirmish, captured 150 men & Col. Morgan, Maj. Day, Capt. Smith & other officers. Killed 1 Lieut. & 6 men…arrived at Bristol in the morning. At daylight captured 3 trains of cars, 1 wagon train, 300 prisoners…[Dec. 14]…lade at Bristol in line of battle….4 A. M. captured Rebs & Government stores…[Dec. 15]…our Regt. started at daylight…to cut the railroad above the salt works. Struck the road 4 miles above the works. Captured a passenger train & one freight train & burnt them up. Marched…toward Richmon & burnt 5 bridges & one tressel destroying the telegraph wire and all depots & government s[t]ore houses…passed through Marion, Va destroying a good deal of foreign clothes & rations…cross Stone Mountain into Straw Mountain, N. C.. Marched up the valley & crossed White Top Mountains. Marched all night the bushwhackers fired on us all night killed 3 horses & killed or captured Capt. [Adam] Chevy Elms [released 6/7/65] & 25 men. We captured 2 wagon trains & 30 Rebs. The Rebs followed us close all day…[Dec. 16]…[when] we was in N. C. we captured 7 Rebs & killed one…crossed Pond Mountain & Iron Mountain into Va. & tried to go to [Union General Stephen] Burbridge but was cut off by Gen. Von [John C. Vaughn]. We skirmished all night…took the road for Abington…[Dec. 17]…arrived at Abington at daylight. Passed through Bristol…skirmished some & fell back to Bluntville…lade their till morning. Our prisoners all escaped but two. It rained all night…[Dec. 18]…moved out at day light for Kingsport, Tenn…marched 10 miles & went in camp in a gap…[Dec. 19]…on picket all night…[Dec. 21]…lad in camp all day to shoe horses…[Dec. 27]…marched at daylight for Knoxville. Arrived there at dusk…[Jan. 1, 1865]…still in camp…drew baker's bread for 2 men…". Unsigned, but from the personal papers of Josephus W. Pell. Minor soiling with irregular lower margins, else VG. Also included is a 3pp. 4to., letter signed ""J. W. Pell", on Sanitary Commission stationery, Camp Nelson, KY., March 17, 1865 to his parents concerning their horses and more. Paper loss at center fold, light (but readable), else VG
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