Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A great group of Union soldier's letters with a map showing his regiment's position the during the siege of Vicksburg accomplished by Pvt. James W. Hughey, Co. H, 13th United States Infantry. The letters date between April 1862 and February 1863. The map was undoubtedly drawn in April 1863, or shortly after, since he clearly shows the canal General Grant ordered dug in an effort for his navy and army to bypass the Southern Citadel. Work on the canal was abandoned in March 1863, but Hughey shows it being complete and notes that it is "1 1/8 miles long." The letters read, in small part: "…[Jefferson Barracks, MO, April 8, 1862, 3pp. 8vo., on patriotic stationery]…I am well and have arrived here this morning…we had a pleasant trip. We landed in St. Louis last night…started for the barracks at 7…when we started down the Mississippi…the garden was green and peas and onions were up…we have a fair view of the river…as far as you can see…the water is high. The railroad runs along…the barracks & the river…the boys are all satisfied with the country and think they will not live in Iowa any more…I am writing in my bunk about 10 feet from the floor…[April 9th]…they said that this would be the last time as we come on them unexpected with 32 men. We will be examined tomorrow by the sergeant…James W. Hughey, Co. H, 13th U. S. A. Infantry…[Beechwood's battery, Kentucky, Oct. 7, 1862], 3pp. 8v0.…there was 31 to be drafted out off Jackson township which is 10 more than was out of any other in the county of Highland that shows [the] Secesh [is] pretty strong…[in camp opposite, Vicksburg, Young's Point, LA, Feb. 4, 1863, 4pp. 8vo., on patriotic stationery]…we have been down below Memphis since the 20th Dec. We have been in 2 fights, one at this place…but we could not gain anything. We lost [paper loss] killed and 12 wounded, one c[aptured.] Two of that number is of your town. S. B. Crain wounded in the rite shoulder, arm taken off. Christ Hite wounded in the leg, not taken off. That is all that you are acquainted with…while we were down hear the rebels captured 2 of our war boats at the mouth of White River…we left here and went up the river to the mouth of the White River and [?] up to the mouth of the Arcansas River to a port called the Arkansas Post [Fort Hindman] where we had another fight…we came off victorious. We took 4721 prisoners and 6 hundred [?] and a large amount of wagons…about 6 thousand stand of arms…then we started down here again…we had one of our rams [USS Queen of the West]…past down opposite Vicksburg yesterday morning. It went down unhurt. The Rebels lost 3 guns which fell down into the river [while] trying to depress them so as to hit our gunboat. We are digging a canal [knonw as Grant's Canal] to let boats down past Vicksburg…[it] is a low wet place where [we] are in camp, but Vicksburg is on high bluffs. We can see the city very plain…is a getting to be a very common thing to hear the roar of the cannon. I saw some of the 28 Iowa when I past Helena…their regiment has got the smallpox… ". Also included is a manuscript map, measuring 7 5/8" x 9 5/8", drawn by Hughey, showing the city of Vicksburg and vicinity. On the north/south compass line Hughey points the location of the 13th United States Infantry on the bluffs overlooking Chickasaw Bayou. Several of the other main points of interest include: Milliken's Bend, Haynes' Bluff, "Battlefield Sherman's attack on Vicksburg" [of battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, December 29, 1862], the Vicksburg & Monroe Railroad, plus the canal dug by Hughey and his comrades. Overall expected wear, one letter with minor rodent damage, else VG. (3 letters, one map)
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