Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
War-date Union officer's battle letter, 4pp. 4to., written by 1st Lt. John Hinsch, Co. D, 32nd Mass. Vols., Bealton, Va., Nov. 14, 1863, addressed to Col. and BBG Francis J. Parker, in part: "…with much pleasure I received your congratulation upon my promotion…I call it duty and I sincerely hope that every one of us, that is in the filed may do it…I have not the least doubt that this Rebellion would soon knock under…I have been transferred to Co. D of which I am ver proud…[on] the affair on the 7th on the banks of the Rappahannock…since Genl. Meade had the command of our army our movements have been rapid and more secret than before…ever since our forward movement from Centreville we have been on the march more or less every day at…Warrenton Junction we laid three days in camp…on Saturday the 7th…at 4 a. m. the bugles sounded the general and we had to get up and get. We marched towards the Rappahannock at Bealton. We formed line of battle and advanced. Skirmishers were deployed and soon we heard from them. The 6th Corps on the right of the railroad and the 5th on the left. We took the Rebels by surprise at about dusk. The 6th Corps had the heaviest fighting and took their main fortifications. Our whole division advanced slowly. The 1st brigade on the right. Our in the centre, and the 3rd on the left. The 1st had many killed & wounded. They advanced through an open field and had to stand a heavy artillery fire while we advanced through the woods. The 18th & 22nd Mass. lost heavily. In the heaviest of the fight we supported two batteries, the 5th U. S. and the 5th Mass., who peppered the Johnnies while the 6th Corps charged and took the breastworks. Our third brigd. skirmishers charged and took the fortifications on the left. We drove the Rebels into the river and made a perfect Balls Bluff of it. Our brigade had no casualties…it was a complete success and as much of a surprise to us as to the Rebels. The next day we moved across the river then our division had orders to recross again. At present we are doing picket duty on the road between Bealton Station and Morrisville…the railroad is getting completed and…we will have a very lively campaign for the next month…the health of the regiment is good…our conscripts are very good men and seem quite at home in the old 32nd…John Hinsch." Minor toning, else near fine.
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