Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A good war-date Union surgeon's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle 12th Maine Vols., Camp Parapet, [Carrolton, La.], Apr. 13, 1864, to his wife, in part: "…our veterans were expecting to start for home tomorrow on the Mississippi transport but an order…from the Com. Gen. puts a quietus upon it at present. No more troops allowed to leave this department until further orders. Gen. Banks is having hot work on the Red River [and] was badly defeated and would probably have been annihilated had not the 19th Army Corps come to his assistance. Our men suffered severely and at last account were holding their ground…about 400 dead & wounded were brought down to the city yesterday. Among them is Major Whitmore formerly of the 23rd [Maine] wounded in the side…he is in the St. James hospital. The 29th and 30th Me. were in the fight. The report is that the Gen. complained of them for straggling on the march but when they came in to action they fought like demons. The Gen. told them they might straggle in the future as much as they pleased. All the forces that can be spared from this department have been ordered up river…the 14th N. H. arrived here this week after a passage of 23 days. They are encamped here with us…I do hope that [the rebs] will get effectively cleaned out this time…Gen. Steele (Union) is in their rear with a large force…they will be badly used…I saw Capt. Farrington yesterday. He has not seen nor heard from [Gen. George] Shepley for over a month and can not find out where he is. He says he shall have him arrested when he sees him…W. C. Towle…". The original transmittal cover and a small Southern letter written (too light to read) on CSA paper is included. VG
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