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, Savannah, Ga., Jan. 22, 1865, to his wife, in part: "…we arrived here on the night of the 19th on a river boat the 'Planter', the same one that was run out of Charleston Harbor by a negro pilot [Robert Smalls]. He is now captain of the boat. Our Regt went into camp outside of the city & remanded there until the afternoon of the next day…recd orders to take up their quarters in the U. S. Barracks and report for Provost duty. This duty is the same as police in our cities. Sherman's army moved the next morning…but returned again…on account of high water. They crossed the river here at the same place where Hardee crossed when he evacuated the city. The report is that the Rebs let the water in upon them from the river and that a number of teams were drowned. The land is very low & swampy…and is easily flowed by flood gates which in civilized time are used to flood the rice plantations…some of the troops have commenced moving again today…we were the first that arrived of the Div. and of course found no accommodations or conveniences for the sick. I had three or four quite sick and it took me half a day before i could get an ambulance to get them to camp…I had to take forcible possession of part of a house to put them in…our Regt is doing duty over one portion of the city & the 14th over another part…it takes me a good part of the day to get around to them all…the city is not much larger than Portland, but it has some magnificent buildings. The monument erected in honor of Pulaski who fell while fighting for our independence stands upon the same spot where he fell from his horse after receiving the fatal wound…some of the houses the people claim protection under the French or Spanish flag but the most singular case…is that of a man who all through the time…the Rebels held this place claimed protection under the 'Stars and Stripes' and it was respected. The relief ship from New York for the citizens of Savannah is here and they have been distributing provisions among the many needy. It was a beautiful sight to see that big ship coming in the river with the banner at her masthead with the words 'Relief ship for the citizens of Savannah' and over this an olive branch while the Star Spangled Banner floated proudly over all…the town is full of officers and soldiers…". Unsigned, but the original transmittal cover is included. Minor toning, else VG.
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