Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
BENHAM, Henry (1813-1884) was an American soldier and civil engineer who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Autograph Letter Signed “H.W. Benham” 2pp. quarto, Boston, Massachusetts, March 22, 1871, and reads in part: “...I would say that my recollection is not quite distinct as to the number of men which I brought up from City Point to the support of Genl. Parke on the last day of fighting before Petersburg April 2d 1865, and my papers are not immediately at hand to aid me. I will give you however what recollections I have upon the subject and search for more details in case they should be necessary for your object, which if I understand, I could perhaps meet the necessities of more distinctly. Upon the 2nd of April early in the morning, I received directions from Genl. Grant’s Hd. Qrs to have all my men out on my lines...so as to be prepared to meet any possible contingencies. The troops then under my directions besides my own, Engineer Brigade...the 61st Mass Regt. and some 350 to 500 men of the Cavalry camp near , and Collis’ Brigade of 3 or 4 small regiments....Collis himself had left the Point that morning for the front, without leave, and I had to place his Senior Colonel in command, when I sent the troops out on the lines...I soon received a telegram from Meade to aid Parke...I at once put every regiment in motion...the Zouaves got up in time...to go into the captured redoubts just as our men were worn out with holding them for 12 hours...And with the Engineers of this Command, I entered the city with Wilcox just after daylight on the morning of the 3rd and commenced the restoration of the bridges...The above comprises briefly the description and character of the force I had with me at the Petersburg lines on those days...” Fine condition. With engraved carte de visite.
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