Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Altus H. Jewel [WIA Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1863], Co. E, 77th New York Vols., "Camp near White Oak Church, Va., Jan. 25, 1863", in part: "True by words used in camp. Another great battle on the Rappahanock. Burnside charges on the enemy with the pontoons. Pontoon stuck in the mud. Burnside's army stuck in the mud, cannons mired down. Try to get them out with twelve pair of horses, kill their horses and cant budge them on[e] inch. Burnside's men skedaddle etc., etc…last Tuesday we went on picket…three of our Co. come out to bring us rations…they said that they were ordered to march…soon we were ordered to call in the pickets and go to camp…when we got to camp the regt had gone…started after them…we marched to the river which we should not for the rebs could see that we were on the move, but the officers that was leading us lost the way. We struck the river opposite Fredericksburg and from there up the river to Falmouth. We saw the Rebel's pickets across the river…but we could not see any camps. Our pickets is on one side of the river and the Rebs on the other. Not more than forty ids from each other [but] near enough so that they can talk to each other…we went west from Falmouth some four miles and…found the regiment…there were detailed about 75 men to go to Falmouth Station for rations…they began to come in…all covered with mud from head to feet …they kept coming in…one man did not get in until the next morning. They brought two dates rations…for a time they had been in the mud up to the tops of their boots…they said that [for] every officer that they [would] see they would hollow "Burnside's supply train stuck in the mud"…the artillery & pontoons were mired down & they do not let the infantry come away for fear of the rebs or guerrillas parties. We got back…in camp about three o'clock. When the regiment was on the way going. There was an order red…from Burnside stating that they had to face the enemy once more. It would be a desperate battle, but they must not be discouraged for probably it would be the last battle…they also saw a wagon master whipping a Negro, bare naked, with his hands tied…over his head. He was whipping him with a blacksnake. The Negro was begging for him to stop. There were forty of them & they had refused to drive because they did not pay them. This is the way that Lincoln's Proclamation takes effect. They take them away from their owners & whip them their selves. This is good Emancipation. It seems as that this rain storm was directed by providence to save another Fredericksburg scrape…had it not rained we would have stood a pretty good chance to have driven the rebs…we were a going to attack their left flank…we had the chance to take them in the rear…we shall lay here some time…for they have got enough of the mud this time…from your brother, A. J." With fully detailed transcription. Light soiling, else VG
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