Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A good war-date Union surgeon's letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle 23rd Maine Vols., Edwards Ferry, MD, Mar. 24, 1863, to his wife, in part: "…we have lost…five cases of small pox…I never wish to see another case for all the death scenes I ever witnessed these certainly were the most horrible. The features…enormously swollen and flesh in many places dropping from the bones…then that unearthly of all smells which emanates from the body…we have no more bad cases now & have no new cases…night before last a small body of Rebels came over the river about two miles above here in a flat boat. Our pickets gave the alarm but not in time to take them prisoners. They are probably now scattered…among the people here…a good deal of last years wheat is not yet threshed…some of the corn…has not been gathered. We should call this rather slack business down east…at Poolsville…I met Dr. Page of the 39th Mass. He took me through his hospital, dispensary etc. I like his appearance very much & the sanitary condition of his Regt speaks well for his progressional abilities…W. C. Towle." The original transmittal cover is included. Near fine.
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