Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
War-date Union officer's letter, 5pp. 8vo., written by Lt. Col. Luther Stephenson, Jr. [WIA Gettysburg, 2x Petersburg, Va. 6/18/64 & 6/22/64 and future brevet brigadier general], 32nd Mass. Vols., "Camp 32d Mass. Vols. near Chickahomy Run, [Va.], June 12, 1864", (a week before he resigned from the army) addressed to Col. and BBG Francis J. Parker, in part: "…we get the newspapers filled with all sorts of nonsense with regard to the campaign (two thirds of which we know to be false)…a person not posted would …believe that Gen. Grant had succeeded in all his plans and that he had only to give the order and Richmond would fall…I believe his plan to have been as follows, to cross the Rapidan, marching through the Wilderness to Spotsylvania and then direct to the James River…forming a junction with Butler and thus cutting off the Danville and Petersburg Rail Road. This plan would be beautiful provided he met no obstacles…he should have known that the…country through which he must pass was such that it was perfectly defensible and that Lee had the game in his own hand. Lee seems to have comprehended all Grant's movements..at no time did we find him unprepared. He attacked us in the Wilderness before we were prepared…defeated what was Grant's plan…we then moved to Spotsylvania the 1st Div., 5th Corps having the advance when we arrived in that vicinity . We met with opposition and so confident were our generals that…Gen. Warren passed along…our Division with the remark that we 'should find nothing but a few cavalry to contend with.' We found instead a strong infantry and artillery force and very soon ascertained that Lee's whole army was before us in an entrenched position. We then swung around to Guiney's Station…crossing the North Anna, but found Lee again…and were compelled to…cross the Pamunky to McClellan's old position of 1862…we have had some hard fighting. Our loss has been so far 1 officer killed, 8 wounded, 30 men killed, 181 wounded and 15 missing. This does not include quite a number who have been slightly wounded and have been returned to the regiment. We have now about 180 of the 32d with us on duty. Gen. Griffin's Hd Qrs are on the same ground occupied by Gen. Sumner in 1862…we are to swing again to the left and…our next base will be the James River. We have recd. today the news of the nomination of Old Abe. After the experience of the last 4 years will the people reelect him? I cannot believe it. Your prediction with regard to gold, that it would be up to 200 before the close of May came very near the truth. I must get out of the service. My family will starve if our money depreciates much more. What are we t do for troops when the term of service of the 100 day men expires which will be…1st of August. Richmond will not be in our possession by that time and we will need a greater instead of a less number of men. Yours, Stephenson." Minor toning, else VG.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.