Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
War-date Union soldier Autograph Letter Signed by John H. Gray, Co. D, 19th Indiana Battery, 4pp. octavo, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, February 8, 1863, and reads in part: “...We routed two Regiments of Rebel cavalry. Took about one thousand horses, one hundred prisoners, among whom were a Rebel Senator and Representative, a Lieutenant, and the rest were Forrest’s Cavalry. Of all brave & daring men the Rebels go ahead of all others for the second night as we were going into camp, four Rebels rode upt o our very camp and took five prisoners. Our cavalry pursued seven miles and over took them and got our men back and also the Rebels. Again on the fifth day one hundred and fifty Rebel horsemen halted in the woods nearby until our advance infantry passed by and our wagon trains got up into which they run and tried to turn them off the pike, but we had some spunky drivers who refused to turned off when they were fired upon, but no damage was done except one muled killed and one wounded. The Rebels looking down the column saw three or four Regiments of infantry and retreated back through the woods...We shelled the woods with one of our twelve pound cannon, but as we got no return fire, we went on. ...Lebanon, Tenn. is a nice little place but business is suspended and it is given over to Secesh. Our soldiers do not like the bill for allowing Negroes to enlist, but it suits me because I think the Negroes are having the best time because they are permitted to remain at home and enjoy themselves while white folks are exposed to all the suffering incident to Army. The Proclamation does not meet with much better approval because most of our soldiers do not want the north overrun with black Negroes, but if we enlist a Negro Army, it can be increased as it advances because the Negroes will join it all the time...We have four 12 pound Napolean brass guns and two 3-inch six-pound Rodman Rifle guns. Each gun has six horses, three drivers, eight cannoniers, and three caissons, pulled by six horses. There is also an extra wheel hauled along...” Fine condition.
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