Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Mathew Halpin, [POW Second Bull Run, Va., 8/29/62], Co. K, 22nd New York Vols., Camp Auger, Va., Mar. 17, 1862, to his friend Albert A. Fletcher, reading, in part: "…we camped near Centreville that night expecting to go ahead next morn, but the Rebels retreated and blew up the [Stone] bridge…we lay in the woods. Thursday, I made up my mind to visit Bull Run…I started at daylight and got on the battle ground…it stretches for six or eight miles…and is covered most part by 2d growth pine. But few of our men were buried and those [that were] only got the name of it…the bones sticking up out of the graves. A company of the Brooklyn 14th were out burying the bones of their dead companions. The citizens say they were all buried, but the Louisiana Tigers rooted them up. It was a hard sight. The ground was covered all over with dead horses. They were barrels & bags of flour by the 100's that they threw away on their retreat. There is a good deal of arms to be found, mostly knives about 18 inches long…Centreville is a well fortified place and a splendid place to fortify. The hills are the most beautiful I ever seen. Friday night we got orders to march to Alexandria…marched from Centreville under a rainy sky…but on we went every now and when a soldier throwing away his knapsack or blanket…to lighten his load. I got along pretty well until we come to a place where the brook overflowed the road and went with an awful sweep. The Col. looked on a minute and enquired if there was not some way to get round. There was none so in we rushed. A good many of the boys were swept off their pins, 3 or 4 drowned. We reached Alexandria about dark…we expect to start tomorrow and take shipping at Alexandria to reinforce Gen. Burnside wh[o] shall have a glorious time in Richmond before many days. The Vt. brigade are going with us…Mathew Hapin." VG
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