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. 4to., 1st Sgt. Wilmon W. Blackmar, Co. K, 15th Penn. (Anderson Troop) Cavalry, "Camp Head Qr. Escort", Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 30, 1863, to his father, in part: "Still in Chattanooga and the Rebs cant make us leave…Rosy is tireless…night and day at first, not so much for a day or two past-found him riding along the fortifications encouraging the men, acknowledging their vociferous cheering, telling this colonel that he handled his Regt. well in the fight [at Chickamauga] and that Capt. to strengthen this or that. He said, "Men we were not whipped. We came for Chattanooga. We got it and will keep it. We were out numbered and fell back, but we are not whipped." If the enemy dare…to strong the place-which I hope they will-they will find Death awaiting them at every step. They cant take it unless they plant siege guns & blow us all up…Sunday last I was out with a flag of truce to see about our wounded who…were still lying on the field…we met the Rebs very near our lines and were doubtful whether our flag would be recd. as two flags had been fired on. We were not fired on, but a Reb officer halted us and took the letter addressed "to the Commander of the Confederate Forces." None of us were allowed to go inside their picket line or to exchange a word with the Rebs. We saw hundreds but spoke to none. After waiting many hours we recd. an and…the next morning 192 ambulances went out with 7 days rations for the severely wounded. As each ambulance reached the Reb pickets our driver jumped off an a Reb jumped on…the ambulances brought in a "load of Agony"…our pickets occupy a ridge in front of our rifle pits. They put up 4 or 5 rails in the shape of a triangle and lie on their bellies…watching for any demonstration. The enemy occupy a belt of woods…this cleared spot is not trespassed on by either party…on this ground one of our boys found a broken watch and I found a fine Enfield Rifle…I did not pick up the rifle for I well knew that hundreds of eyes were on us and any…carrying off arms would bring a bullet so I took a little wrench…and little by little removed the lock, thus destroying the uselessness of the gun for the Rebs. Miss. [Nellie M.] Chase who is the sick soldier's friend…especially our Regt. sent me her photo…I wish Orison to keep it for me…direct my matter to Sergt. W. W. Blackmar, Gen. R.-Hd. Qrs. not putting on the Regt…Wilmon." Near fine
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