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., Bermuda Hundred, [Va.], July 23, 1864, to his wife, in part: "…we arrived safely at Fortress Monroe [and] were ordered to report to City Point…from there we were ordered to Bermuda Hundred…we received orders to be in readiness to move at 9 o'clock…we had some sick men who could not march. Dr. [Eldridge A.] Thompson remained with them and I went on with the Regt-4 other Regts went with us…we found ourselves close to the outer fortifications and in close proximity to the Rebels…the fortifications here are very strong as are also the Rebels who are about a mile above. Our pickets are out about a quarter of a mile outside. The Rebel pickets are not a hundred yards from them…by mutual agreement do not fire upon each other…I ventured outside our works in company with our chaplain and a Lieut. in the 4th New Jersey Battery…the pickets lines…are so near as to talk freely together and even exchange papers etc. Beauregard is in command of the Rebs' & Gen. Butler of our forces. Butler was afraid of an attack…the night on which we came up. I was so near the Rebs that I could…hear them talking with each other. A band struck up while I was there and I had the pleasure of hearing Rebel music…we hear cannonading in the direction of Petersburg very plain…the Rebs have been making another raid into Maryland…our trip up the James river was pleasant. No appearance of guerrillas, not even sign of inhabitants on the most of the plantations. I have not a very high opinion of the officers of the 14th…they are the scaliest set of any Regt…I suppose that Mr. Evans of his wife would not think it much of a compliment for him and so…you had better not tell them…we shall have music here before long…my address…12th Me. Regt, Washington D. C., 19th A. C…Wm. C. Towle. The original transmittal cover is included. VG
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