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., Lake End, [La.], June 16, 1864, to his wife, in part: "…I felt very bad to hear of Henry's death. I saw it among the list of killed in a Boston paper…I also saw that Hiram Heath [9th New Hampshire, MWIA Spotsylvania Court House, Va., 5/12/64] was wounded. It was a long list and I looked them over carefully for I expected to find more of my acquaintances & friends among the number. Is it not awful to think of the sacrifice of life? Who shall be responsible? Surely the Rebel leaders who brought it on…their doom is sealed and they will sooner…reap their reward…I have not changed my ideas of the colored race for I actually think their condition for the most part is worse now than before the war and will continue so for a long time to come…most of the negroes here today would prefer going back to their old homes and mothers provided the condition and position of the country was the same as before the war. The South counted too much on its own strength and resources & little on that of the north. Consequently they must suffer the consequences. I see no other way…I should hardly have a hospital now if it was not for the new recruits that Major Hasting brought out…most of them have been sick with diarrhea & fever. They came here in the wrong season…one of them died last week of Y. Fever, the first manned we have lost for a long tome…he might have been saved if he had reported himself sooner…most of our men will try and keep off the sick list as long as possible. I have to drive them off of duty sometimes and force them to take medicine…I have a few of the opposite class. I was very much amused…at what a Capt. whom has charge of the refugee company told me. He said that he saw Dr. Evans in town and he…told him that he would like very much to have charge of the army now as he would like to revive some of his old practice with women and children. It amused me very much to think of his former practice among women and children, ha! ha!…isn't it rich. There are about one hundred refugees here now. A great many young children among them. A number of them are sick. I have helped one sick with diarrhea…could get no help of the doctors in the city & it grew worse…they seem to be grateful for favors. They are from Texas driven from their homes by the accursed Rebel's. [The] Government gives them rations & clothes…the next news we hear Grant will be pounding at the walls loofa Richmond. I hope he will capture the whole Rebel army, Jeff Davis & all…Wm. C. Towle." The original transmittal cover is included. VG
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