Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
Union soldier’s letter written by”F(rancis) N. Swyer” who enlisted 9/20/1862 into E Co. IL 9th Infantry. The four page letter is datelined Head Quarters, camp 9th Ill Inf Vols., Pocahantas, Tenn., August 8, 1863. In part, “…we have been almost constantly in the saddle out on scouting expeditions and making raids – on the past month (July) we marched 637 miles, making an average of over 21 miles per day for the entire month, and has some 8 or ten skirmishes with the Rebs and Guerrilla bands – two of which were pretty warm engagements – in all of which we punished the enemy badly and permanently as evidenced by the heaps of dead Rebs left on the field. ... In the other action we were about 300 strong and fought the 9th Tenn. Rebel cavalry, Forrest’s Regiment of Cavalry and Newsham’s Cavalry – and actually charged them in their breastworks driving them out and taking 175 or 200 prisoners besides 400 conscripts that we let go on parole. …since January our regiment have been mounted (on mules) and at present are acting as cavalry at this post…. …we have been mounted on mules – as the “Jackass Brigade” from the fact that no Rebel Brigaded we have yet met in the field has been able to nor ever will whip the Bloody Ninth – we have got so accustomed to the Music of Balls and the Shrick of Shells that we rather like it than otherwise. ....”
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