Raynors HCA 2018-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018
A rare Medal of Honor winner's war-date letter, 4pp. 8vo., 1st Sgt. Wilmon W. Blackmar, Co. K, 15th Penn. (Anderson Troop) Cavalry, "Camp Head Qr. Escort", Trenton, Ga., Sept. 8, 1863, to his mother, in part: "We left camp at Stevenson on Friday…we crossed at Bridgeport (on pontoon bridge)…camped…at a place called Cave Springs where there is a large saltpetre mine full of rooms and apartments some of which are 150 ft. high. This mine is a serious loss to the Rebs. Rosy and part of his staff got confused while in there and were glad to avail themselves of a guide-one of our boys who took the precaution to scratch an arrow pointing out at every turn he made. Rosy had been looking for over an hour for a place to get out…we did not move on…the narrow mountain road was blocked up with Gen. Rouseau's wagon train and Hd. Qr. train…Sunday morning the road was clear…"Boots & Saddles" sound[ed] and soon we were following our beloved Genl. -who we never known to travel on Sunday before-over the mountains. The road was at an angle of 45 degrees…we had to lead our horses…the sweat ran from my horse…I was almost as warm as he…Genl. Neglet's Hd. Qrs. were at this foot of the Mts…about 11 a. m. the Escort was ordered out and we went…to Gen. Crittenden's Hd. Qrs. where several Gens. had their heads together for 4 mortal hours plotting something for Bragg's amusement…we met several of the Vicksburg prisoners on the mountain. They had furloughs of 20 days but found it difficult to return at their expiration…we expect a fight. Rosy has made a strange, bold move…and we implicitly trust the man…Wilmon." Near fine
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