The Siege of Fort Blakley Fatiguingly Goes On

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

Union soldier's war-date letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Montgomery Hickman, Co. I, 97th Illinois Vols., "Blakely, Ala. near Mobile, 7th April 1865," to his wife, in part: "…the whole distance that we march from Pensacola to where we are now is estimated at over 125 miles…some days we could go four or five miles…at least forty miles of the route had to be "corduroyed" across swamps and mud-holes…we had to cut down trees and lay them across the roads before the teams could pass. The Johnnies did not give us a great deal of trouble except that they burned all the bridges over the rivers and streams…we had to rebuild before we could cross. There were so many small streams and swamps to wade that we were constantly wet…it [also] rained about every other day…we started with…ten days rations. We found…we had been out about a week that we were going to run short…when we got here we were a hungry savage set of devils and did not hesitate to drive the rebs into their fortifications which we did in handsome style. That accomplished it was an easy matter to open communications with Gen. Granger who is besieging the place on the south side (we being on the east and north) and so far as grub is concerned we now fare very well…Pollard, Ala. about 50 miles from here our cavalry and the reb Cav. had quite a fight, but our infantry did not get up until it was all over. Our loss in the affair did not exceed ten killed and wounded. The Johnnies had…fifty killed and wounded, among the former Brig. Genl. Clanton…we captured 350 prisoners. We captured two trains of cars on the Mobile & Montgomery Railroad loaded with commissary stores etc and destroyed the road for miles in different places…it was a very successful…expedition…it reflects great credit on Gen. Steele who commands the forces. We have plenty of work to do here. The rebs force is said to be 5,000 and they are very strongly fortified on the Tensas river in which they have several strong gunboats to back them. This position is one of the keys to Mobile. We have force enough here to take it by storm in 20 minutes but it would cost so many lives…I don't believe we could hold it while their infernal gunboats are in the river. We are now regularly besieging it…it is Vicksburg over again…a continual clatter of musketry, shot and shell day and night…all the while we are ceaselessly digging, digging, digging them out of their holes. This is the fifth day we have been at it…our advance rifle pits are now within a quarter of a mile of their works. How long it will last I don't know…it is very exciting as well as fatiguing life and tasks a man's endurance. Hard work, loss of sleep, exposure etc. already begins to tell and many report to the doctor. I am very well with the exception of a slight cold…M. Hickman." The original transmittal cover is included. VG

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