Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. William A. Sloman, Co. E, 9th Maine Vols., "Near Richmond, Va., Oct. 6, 1864", in part: "…we have been having some more fighting here and drove the rebels and liked them pretty bad. We took up a line of march from Petersburg at half past 3 on the afternoon of the 28th of Sept….we laid down until daylight. When we were ordered up for the fight we attacked the rebel pickets at Malvern Hill, drove them in. The negors charged their main line of works carrying everything before them…they got cut up pretty bad. Our division then took the lead driving the rebs before us for about 3 miles which brought us within 5 mies of Richmond…we came against their big forts. While we were marching up the New Market road the rebs raked us with their artillery. Here Green Parker was struck with a whole shell taking his leg off at the hip. It stove him all to pieces . I carried him off, but he only lived a short time…made a charge on their fort and were repulsed with very heavy loss. Capt. Greg, Capt. Brastow was killed. Capt. Beals missing, Lieut. Colby, Thompson, Weeks was wounded. This includes all the officers that went in to the fight. Sergt. Towle we expect was killed. George eastman, Charles Morrill missing. G. Pendexter wounded in the foot. We had only 90 men that went in and lost 44…Genl. Ferry's brigade went on a reconnoitering on our right…went within 1 1/2 miles of Richmond. The 18th Corps was fighting on our left and carried one of the forts with 16 pieces of artillery…& 300 prisoners. We still hold our ground and are expecting a big fight…the 30th Me is way on our left now about 20 miles from here…William A. Sloman". Near fine.
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