Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
War-date Union soldier's letter, 3pp. legal size folio, written by Pvt. Harrison Gibble (Gipple in the CW database), Co. A, 79th Penn. Vols., Chattanooga, Tenn. Nov. 18, 1863, to his friend, Henry C. Gringrich, in part: "…I was detailed as guard to Stevenson and back to this place…back from Stevenson with the wagon…took us 14 days to make the trip the roads was in such bad condition…I have seen 2000 dead mules laying along the road…by hard usage and scarcity of feed. We passed…a place where the Rebels had about 800 mules killed the time they captured our train and burned over 400 wagons . There was some very hard times at this place…for men and horses, but since we have the steamboat running from Bridgeport to…this place provision and feed is getting plenty and the teamsters will have it easier…we have nothing but our small tents for shelter, no overcoats, most no stockings and some no blankets . My blankets and knapsack got lost at the battle like many others. I got a half a blanket from Chamber's to sleep under till I can draw one…the rebs are still in our front about 2 1/2 miles from our camp. We can see their tents plain and hear them cheer sometimes. Our artillery is fighting with them daily more or less. The other day the rebs thrower several shells close to our camp which exploded and one in the hospital which did not explode, but did scarce some of the sick very much. They have now removed them to another place. They only killed one man and wounded two…we are within twenty steps of their picket at some places…no one fire at each other. The order is in both armies not to fire on either side [until] one or the other army should make a move…I was…half afraid they might fire at us for…I have a poor confidence in a reb…I was glad to hear the good result of the election. The Southern papers (Union) rejoiced very much of the triumph & victory of the Copperheads…H. Gibble.". VG
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