Overly Optimistic Battle of Second Fredericksburg Battle Letter.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017

War-date Union officer's letter, 1 1/2pp. 4to., written by 1st Lt. Isaiah Francis Hoyt, 32nd Mass. Vols., "near United States Ford, Rappahannock River," [Va.], May 4, 1863, addressed to Col. and BBG Francis J. Parker, in part: "I have seen with my own eyes those terrible Fredericksburg Heights that you "labored with." [We] assaulted [them] and [they were] taken at the point of the bayonet! This was on Sunday about noon and it was richly worth ten years of my life to have seen that magnificent bayonet charge. Johnny fought well…he was obliged "to get up and git". The troops crossed both above and below Fredericksburg and attacked the enemy's right and left. The fighting has been going on since Thursday, some of the time very severe. Up to this morning our Reg. had lost only 1 man killed Lunt of Co. H. [Gen. Charles] Griffin has had a horse shot under him. The 5th, 3rd, 11th & 12th Corps moved up the river and crossed a pontoon [bridge] at Kelly's Ford, forded Mountain Run, crossing the Rapidan at Ely's Ford and moved to a place called Chancellorsville, ten miles above Fredericksburg. All their pickets were gobbled up with the advance of the cavalry (a la B.) [Gen. John Buford]…the rebels completely surprised. Their communication with Richmond is destroyed and prisoners taken…say they have nothing to eat and that Lee says…that they must either starve or fight their way thro! [BBG Luther] Stephenson [WIA Gettysburg, 2x Petersburg, Va. 6/18/64 & 6/22/64] is in command having been relieved from arrest…[Col. George Lincoln] Prescott [WIA Gettysburg & MWIA Petersburg, Va., 6/18/64] remains in arrest. A rebel colonel taken prisoner says fair horses bring eighteen hundred dollars quick! Coffee…sells six dollars the pound. May 6th Fredericksburg was retaken yesterday. Our Reg. has been in the advance but no further casualties…I. F. Hoyt." VG

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