Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo. & 4to., written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., "Provost Guard Hd. Qrs., Second Corps near Hatcher's Run, Va., Mar. 30, 1865", in part: "The campaign has begun…the Army of the Potomac is again on the move…the Rebels charged and broke our lines [at Fort Stedman] in front of the 9th Corps…they were repulsed…some of the boys were awakened about four…by heavy cannonading and musketry…to the right…I heard it but for a long time, it was mingled with my dreams…when I finally awoke…I paid no attention to it until after…half past five when the artillery fire became very heavy and continuous…the guard was roused to roll call. We were informed that the rebels had broken the line near Meade's Station and had cut the R. R. The last piece of information proving incorrect. We were ordered to get breakfast…and pack up everything..to march at any moment. Hd. Qrs. and everything…was packed up and put into the wagons…was circulated that the 9th Corps has retaken their works, inflicting a severe loss…about that time the firing in that direction ceased…our corps moved out in front of our works and skirmishing…ensued and continued from that time until about four o'clock p. m…the Rebels made four successive charges to retake their entrenchments [and] skirmish line which we had previously taken…they were repulsed each time…Gen. Humphrey said [they] were severely punished…the musketry was was very heavy…approaching the awful continuous roar in the Wilderness on the 5th and sixth of last May…three and four hundred prisoners were brought into our camp…we struck our tents and stacked arms in the street…everything about Hd. Qrs. had resumed its proper place…on the Vaugn road the 5th Corps, our own and Sheridan's Cavalry had preceded us. The sun was hot and the roads dry and dusty…lined with blankets, overcoats, pants, blouses, knapsacks etc…we crossed Hatcher's Run about ten..the 24th Corps now holds our old works. The right of our Corps joins their left. The 5th Corps joins on or left and Sheridan's Cavalry on the left of the 5th Corps joins on our left and Sheridan's Cavalry on the left of the 5th Corps. Our Corps have advanced from the Vaugn road nearly a mile toward the South Side R. R. meeting with very little…opposition. The cavalry attached to Gen. Meade's Hd. Qrs. and the cavalry escort and provost of this Corps were engaged yesterday and advanced skirmishers. Very slight loss is reported…the 5th Corps were engaged yesterday afternoon [Battle of Lewis Farm] and lost five hundred men…a large number of ambulances have passed here this morning loaded with wounded of that Corps…we have heard some firing on our right. It is reported Sheridan has struck the South Side R. R. [near Dinwiddle Court House] but it lacks confirmation. It commenced raining last night…most of the boys got wet through…and the roads are already in a very bad condition…twenty men of our Regt…were sent out on a reconnaissance have been captured…twenty men of our regt were killed and five wounded on Saturday. None of them from Waterloo…Geo. S. Youngs." Also included is a small slip chronicling a friend's religious conversion and of several being baptized. The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG
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