Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A rare, perhaps unique, war-date Union soldier's poem, ca. 1863, field printed, 1p. folio, entitled: "WAR SONE. BATTLE OF LAVERGNE. Fought January 1st, 1863 between the Michigan Engineers and Mechanics under Col. Innes and a Brigade of Cavalry and two pieces of Artillery, reading, in part: "I s'pose that you've heard of Wheeler, who leads a rebel band. A noted guerrilla…a curse upon our land. He watches for weary soldiers, attacks from ten to one…many are the cruel deeds this mounted horde have done. They burned one hundred wagons on December twenty-nine and took guards and teamsters, beyond the rebel lines; exalting…they tried their hand again, upon a corps of engineers-from Michigan they came. The Engineers were at Lavergne, a place in Tennessee…at half-past one on New Year's day they opened the ball…bursting shell…round our heads did fall. The wagon guards and teamsters did all desert their train leaving the Engineers alone the battle to maintain. They charged upon us shouting…their weapons glittering…in the radiance of the sun. The engineers being ready gave them a deadly fire, which very much surprised the secesh and caused them to retire…give up you d-d Yankees or you shall all be slain…the foe…sent his forces round our camp to make a mighty show…they could neither break our lines nor the "d-d yankees scare." Three times the foe received our fire …our colonels loud command…stand firm my gallant few. We charged across the battle field where lead like hailstones flew …they sent us a flag of truce and bade us yield our post…your camp is surrounded by Wheeler and his host…we don't surrender much…was our colonel's brave reply…to take us we defy. We will maintain the Union, support our noble flag and make Secessia yield to us their vile rebellion's rag. Their leader received his answer and stood as if in doubt…after a consultation for rebeldom set out…our soldiers proved themselves heroes, who battled at Lavergne. Their valor on that bloody day our country's praise did earn and if we meet the foe we'll whip as before…and make secesh giver over." Folds, wrinkles, minor margin loss, else VG to near fine.
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