Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A great war-date Union surgeon's battle letter, 2pp. 8vo., written by Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle 12th Maine Vols., Newton, [Va.], Oct. 21, 1864, to his wife, in part: "I have but little time to write…we have had a great battle and the casualties are large. I am now at work in the division hospital dressing wounds and amputating. My health is most excellent…the Rebs took the 8th Corps by surprise on our right and drove them in completely flanking our corps. Many of our men were obliged to jump over their own breastworks in order to avoid being captured by the 'Johneys'. They had the best of it until about noon when the tide turned against them and they…were routed with great loss. Gen. Sheridan was absent in the forepart of the day, had been to Baltimore. He arrived on the field about noon and his presence everyone says was worth 20,000 men…I saw him as he was going onto the field and the men cheered him…his presence seemed to inspire them with new courage. the lost accounts from the front are very good. We are capturing them by thousands, artillery, wagon trains etc, etc…Wm. C. Towle." The original transmittal cover is included. Minor toning, else VG.
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