Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
Union soldier's Bristoe Station campaign letter, 11pp. 8vo., written, on patriotic pre-printed Union song sheets each entitled, "Song of the American Girl"; "Fraternity" and "Words", by Corp. Altus H. Jewel [WIA Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1863], Co. E, 77th New York Vols., "Virginia., Oct. 16 & Oct. 29,1863," in part: "…we commenced to retreat…from the Rapidan…beyond Culpeper where we had advanced a few days before…we could see, on the Rebels side of the Rapidan, a strong fortified place stronger…than Fredericksburg. We commenced to retreat at 7…the tenth. I…went into the ambulances. We got back to Culpeper by daylight…along the Rail Road that runs from Alexandria to Culpeper…the rebel's cavalry followed close in our rear…they…got the best of our cavalry…they advanced six miles driving the rebels…Howe's Division was the first line of battle…there was heavy artillery fire in our rear all day…[by] our cavalry & fifth corps. They drove the rebels and took a lot of prisoners. They took 500 of Bragg's men. He has…reinforced Lee…they was too strong for us. When we got to Centreville. We halted for a short time…were ordered on again…We marched 3 miles…encamped for the night…last night…a squad of guerrillas attacked the left of the line where Co. D was. They fired at them & Co. K made a charge and drove them back. There was no one hurt of our men…they killed two rebs…we have to pay…monstrous prices for everything. A dollar haunt worth as much as twenty five cents…if I live to get home I will know the benefit of money and how to take care of it……all the bad habits that a man can get…is here, swearing, stealing, lying & drinking…but getting in company with bad women…are not allowed in the army…thank heaven I don't indulge in any of the bad habits. About Albert…I write this as privacy…swears a good deal &…sometimes drinks a little, but he is a pretty good boy…he is about the same as he was at home…have sprees the same as young folks do at home…[0ct. 29, 1863]…our camp is about a half a mile south of Warrenton Village…we are all starved for tobacco now. The train don't run through here yet. The railroad haint fixed up. The rebs did all they could to destroy the road when they retreated…Altus H. Jewel." With partial transcription. Light soiling, else VG
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