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 Veteran Battalion, Camp Russell, [Cedar Creek, Va.], Dec. 31, 1864, to his wife, in part: "…yesterday morning all of the Corps moved from here to Stevenson's Station below Winchester, the terminus of the railroad from Harpers Ferry. One Regt to a brigade was left here to guard the huts …we are…doing to guard duty for the brigade…there were a couple of agents here yesterday gathering together all of the old clothes which the men had left or thrown away. They told me that they collected enough at City Point to bring $21,000.00. Blue rags are worth 20cts a lbs. I am glad to see our government practicing a little economy though it is done at the expense of the soldier who will have to buy the same old rag…again made up into new clothes. [?] Gov. had better have the profit than anyone else for shoddy is bound to show itself in nearly all of the woolen clothing which we get nowadays…Gen. Sheridan has issued an order granting furloughs to officers and enlisted men at the rate of five men to every hundred. Three line officers and one field officer, staff officers, are to be furloughed on the recommendation of commanders, surgeons…by recommendation of Medical directors…we have heard nothing of our new organization yet…there are only three surgeons, two besides myself in the whole brigade…Wm. C. Towle." The original transmittal cover is included. Minor toning, else VG.
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