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 31, 1864, to his wife, in part: "…we received marching orders…proceeded down the James River crossed over three of four miles below…the day before our troops had a sharp engagement with the Rebs driving them from their first line of rifle pits. On arriving we immediately occupied the same entrenchments. The Rebs being in their second line not a mile from us. Our men…went to work strengthening the works * placing their batteries in position. Our brigade is composed of the 14th Me., 14th N. H., 26th Mass., 75th N. Y…under the command of Gen. [Henry Warner] Birge. Skirmishing and artillery practice was all that occurred Wednesday & Thursday. The Rebel camp being in range of the gunboats was shelled by them, the same going over our heads…we could see the shells strike plainly among them. Some would fall down while others would take to their heels. It was quite amusing to see the rebs trying to find shelter from the storm of shells. Their sharpshooters would occasionally send a bullet over our breastworks…one struck a tree near by where I was standing. Last night…we recd orders to evacuate as quietly as possible and by daylight over 30,000 infantry, artillery and cavalry had crossed the pontoon and was on the south side of the James once more. The Rebs recd heavy reinforcements yesterday. We could hear the cars & cheers of the men…the 14th had one killed…the line of works here is 15 miles in length & the Rebel's works are opposed to them the whole length…Dr. [Eldridge A.] Thompson generally takes the time, when we are about moving, to get tight [drunk]. I don't like it…as it gives me all the work…W. C. Towle. The original transmittal cover is included. VG
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