Raynors HCA 2018-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018
Union General's letter written by Brevet Major General Thomas Howard Ruger (1833-1907), as colonel of the 3rd Wisconsin Vols., 8pp. 8vo., Strasburg, Va., May 20th, 1862," to his wife, in part: "…there is no news of any consequence…yesterday…there was quite a stampede among the slaves in Strasburg, old and young making tracks together. If it only provokes the Secessionists it is one good thing. The people here in the Valley are mostly…almost all secessionists. There is just now a lull in military operations preparatory only to great events…[in just two days the combined forces under Ewell and Stonewall Jackson would attack and drive the armies of Banks, McDowell and Fremont out of the Valley!]…of England and France [looking] to interfere in the affairs of this country…I hope we will be so far successful that there will be no chance for intervention…the active intervention of both England and France would complicate matters to such a degree as to render the speedy settlement of our troubles very doubtful. What the policy of our government would be…is not easy to predict [but] the great mass of the people…would sustain it in repelling by every means…a so uncalled for and wicked attempt on their part now that it appears inevitable that before long the rebellion must be crushed. The present unfriendly tone of the British press…with its assumed neutrality when it fancied there was a prospect of the ultimate success of the rebels can only be accounted for on the supposition of a secret desire all the time that this government should be divided…you say…some one asked you if your husband was the Gen. Huger mentioned in the papers. Why my dear wife Gen. Huger is the rebel General who had command at Norfolk before its evacuation. He has been in the rebel service for a long time was formerly an ordnance officer in the army…the lady who asked you must have a mind somewhat on the [?] order allowing the wheat to go throu and catching a straw now and then…Howard." Also included is the original stamped transmittal cover, with a blue "Banks' Division" postage cancellation mark, addressed: "Mrs. T. H. Ruger. Care of H. R. Moore & Sons, Beloit, Wisconsin." Near fine.
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