Raynors HCA 2019-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/21/2019
A rare ca. 1864, 1st Michigan Engineer's and Mechanics broadside style song sheet, entitled: "WAR SONG. BATTLE OF LAVERGNE. Fought January 1st, 1863, between the Michigan Engineers and Mechanics…and two pieces of Artillery under the rebel Gen. Wheeler." by Pvt. Charles K. Brewer of Company G, measuring approximately 12 3/4 x 5 7/8", reading, in small part: "…Wheeler, who leads a rebel band…a curse upon our land…burned one hundred wagons on December twenty-nine and took our guards and teamsters, beyond the rebel lines…the Engineers were at Lavergne…where Wheeler wished to take the train supplying brave Rosse…on New Year's day, they opened the ball…the guards and teamsters did all desert…leaving the Engineers alone…to maintain. They charged upon us shouting…the Engineers being ready gave them a deadly fire…their shells were falling 'round us…three times the foe received our fire when coming hand to hand…our boys now took steady aim and blazed away once more, when our rebel foe skedaddled as they have done before. Four hundred noble Wolverines whipped Wheeler's whole brigade saving our noble army's rear from a guerrilla raid. They sent us a flag of truce and bade us yield our post…'we don't surrender much, sir,' was our Colonels brave reply…our soldiers proved themselves…and if again we meet the foe, we'll whip them as before and battle for our glorious cause, and make secesh give over." Forty-one year old Brewer enlisted to save the Union and served for three years in the 1st Michigan Engineers as an artificer. He was present during Sherman's epic Atlanta campaign after which he penned this stirring poem that was printed in broadside form. Folds with toning, else VG.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.