Raynors HCA 2019-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/21/2019
War-date Union soldier Autograph Letter Signed by Joseph Atwater Hall, 5th Connecticut Infantry, 4pp. quarto, Williamsport, Maryland, June 3, 1862, and reads in part: “...We are in Gen. Banks Division which at that time amounted to 15 or 20 thousand men. We drove Gen. Jackson (the rebel Gen.) force before us to the end of the valley...Sec. Stanton withdrew part of his command leaving Banks with only about 5,000 infantry...One morning we recd news that Jackson had been reinforced and was going to make an attack. We struck tents in the night and began on retreat. We kept falling back until we arrived at a place just below Strasburg, when it was found Jackson and Gen. Ewell were in our rear. We immediately fell back to Winchester when we took position ready to fall into fire of battle any moment..this was one week ago...and our pickets were firing all night and in the morning (Sunday) the ball opened in good earnest by a battery throwing shells into our camp. Soon all the batteries were engaged and I tell you they went into it...We (the band) were with the regt. and the shell burst aroudn us on every side. Sonn the rebels began to advance upon our extreme left which position was held by the 5th C.V. a Georgia Regt advanced on them and when near enough our Col. gave the order to fire which was obeyed and it is reported that the first fire our regt knocked over 150 of them. They immediately fell back and just at that time the right wing was driven back with orders to retreat, which was done in good order. Our loss was considerable but nothing like that of the enemies. The rebels intended to bag the whole of us as their force was 30,000 and ours but 5,000...Two of the band were taken prisoners...When wer were retreating through Winchester the citizens fired upon us from the buildings and the boys say if they ever get back there, they will leave it in ashes...” Much more. Fine condition.
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