Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A very rare war-date Union soldier's battle letter, 10pp. 8vo., written, on pink Columbia patriotic stationery, by Sgt. John Irving Cook, Co. I, 51st New York Vols., [MWIA Second Bull Run, Va., 8/30/62, died of wounds 9/28/62 at Fairfax, Va.], "Camp Newbern near Newbern City, N. C., Mar. 19, 1862", in small part: "…since writing …we have passed through another hard battle and achieved a Glorious Victory though dearly bought for the 51st. We set sail from R[oanoke] Island the 11th and anchored at Hatteras that night…landed on N. C. shore and took up our line of march for Newbern 15 miles distance. After…about 6 miles we came upon a breastwork…three miles in length which they had left and we could not…wonder at their leaving so strong a place…we…rested about an hour…the rain began to pour down…we stopped for the night about 5 miles from New_…passed the night in a drenching rain. In the morning we all discharged our guns and loaded them anew…took up our line of march down the railroad…the enemy had breastworks thrown up about 4 miles in length, with a deep ditch in front to prevent our charging on them, extending from the river …across the railroad. When we were within…half a mile of them we turned off into the woods…in about 15 minutes we received a volley from the enemy…the N. Y. 51st fired their first volley in return. The enemy's heads only were visible…then kneeled behind their breastworks to load…their heads was mark enough for us. There was a valley or marsh between us and them and they had chopped down trees and brush rendering it almost impassible. The firing was kept up for three hours without cessation…our men had…fired from 50 to 80 cartridges, not stopping for a moment, though five or six times ordered to cease…by Gen. Reno…but they paid no attention to the order…the Gen. spoke to our Col…said his men fought more like devils than men. After about three hours fighting the enemy could stand…no longer though their numbers…from 8 to 12 thousand men…they retreated leaving all their cannons…and we rushed into their fortifications…the N. Y. 51st leaving about 130 killed and wounded on the field of battle…Comp[any] I had not a commissioned officer left. Capt. D. R. Johnson was mortally wounded, but was alive last night. Lieut. G. D. Allen was shot through the head and killed instantly…two braver officers never went into the battlefield. G. Cease was wounded and has since died. George Cane shot through the shoulder and is getting along well. R. E. Sperry shot through the leg, flesh wound. R. B. Pettie, son of Squire Pettie dangerously wounded in the head. Charles Robberts sight wound in the shoulder. James McCutchen [drowned 8/31/62 Potomac Creek, Va.] had one thumb shot off and [Sgt.] Cyrus A. Powers [DOW 3/23/62] shot through the side and pronounced by the Doctors mortally wounded, but he appears to be getting a little better…he may recover…I hope and pray that he may…in losing him it seems…like losing a brother. Since we first enlisted we have always slept together under the same blankets and shared everything…I cannot bear to think he will not recover. Tell his folks…that every thing will be done…for he was universally esteemed…but if called to die thank god. He is prepared and willing. You wanted to know how I felt in battle…I have prayed that if I fell in battle the Lord would receive me and…I have not felt afraid to die…in our last battle I expected to fall but thank god I came out unharmed…the enemy had a train of cars over a mile in length…and made their escape…there was a long railroad bridge across the river…about one mile from the city. After they crossed they set fire to it to prevent our troops crossing…made good their escape. There were several batteries along the shore to prevent our gunboats from getting to the city but they were useless after their defeat on land…the enemy did not stop at Newbern. Our boats…sailed up to Newbern and…5,000 of our troops lodged in that city. They had boasted that it was impossible to take them here but they find the Yankees are tough…John I. Cook, 2d Brigade, Gen. Burnside's Division, Co. I, 51 Regt. N. Y. S. V…". Very light soiling, else VG to near fine.
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