Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
An unusual war-date Union soldier's battle letter recalling how he was forced into the ranks of attacking Rebel soldiers during the battle of Second Bull Run, 4pp. 4to., written by Sgt. Mathew Halpin, [POW Second Bull Run, Va., 8/29/62], Co. K, 22nd New York Vols., "Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1862," to his friend Albert A. Fletcher, reading, in part: "…after we left Fredericksburg all mail communication was stopped…we encamped on the battle field of Cedar Mountain 2 days then commenced a rapid retreat to Rappahannock Station. They Rebels getting there as soon as our rear-guard crossed the bridge. Their cavalry charged the bridge, but were met by our cavalry & infantry & driven back a darned sight faster than they came. Then commenced an artillery fight across the river which was kept up 5 days, our Regt. supported a battery for 4 days…the shot & shell passed over our heads doing no hurt while the other Regts in the brigade had several killed & wounded. On the 5th day we made a grand skedaddle back as far as Warington where we stayed 2 days…then came the news that the Rebels were in our rear. Yes, they were surrounded. We have nothing to do but go & take them. On Thursday the 28 of Aug. our King's division opened the fight. [Battle of Groveton] Gibbons Brigade going into it with small arms. Our brigade, Hatcher's supporting the 1st N. Y. Battery. They got a splendid range of us …it was anything but comfortable. Darkness put a stop to the fight. The Rebels were 10 to 1 so we made another grand skedaddle & reached Manassas Junction about 9 o'clock Friday morning. The battle was kept up all day. About 1/2 after 4 p. m. our brigade went in. It was our 1st fight with small arms…our line was soon broken. We fell back about 30 rods and [re]formed. Gen. Hatch came down and told some to go back on the hill where our battery of 3 guns was. I went up there with a number of others & had a fair sight for some few shots. They came right on as fast as their legs could carry them until they got them guns. They paid dearly for them…the gunners stood by their guns to the last minute. When they got the battery we concluded it was time to…make tracks. We got down to our men and had not been there but a few minutes when we were charged by the 4th Texas. In that charge we lost our colours . We were all mixed up but still kept fighting when Col. Post of the 2d U. S. Sharp Shooters rode up and after firing his revolver at the rebels told us we were surrounded and if we could get away to get at [it.] At this time I was standing in a brook. It was so dark we could see nothing, but the flash of the enemy's guns…I started for camp. When I got 1/2 way up the hill I heard some of our men halted by the 2d Mississippi Regt so going to camp that way was played out. I went back & got into the ditch & went to shooting at the enemy on the hill. The 2d Mississippi came down in our rear so we had to surrender. After we were prisoners. In place of sending us to the rear they formed us on the right of their Regt. & went to fighting with their own men through mistake. I told one of their officers that I did not like the idea of being shot by our own men. He told me I had ought to stay at home. That night the rebels held the ground & picked up their wounded & buried most of their dead…they said…there was a heap more Yankees dead than secesh. After several lectures from the officers and nothing to eat for 5 days they paroled us, not to raise arms again until exchanged. They sold us hard crackers for a quarter. Gen. [Lew] Wallace has been here to Camp Chase. He wants to reorganize us to go down to Minnesota to fight the Indians [first Minnesota Sioux uprising, Sept. 1862]. You ned not answer this as we are going to leave here tomorrow…we will get paid off in a few days…truly yours, Mathew." With separate post script note, 2pp. 12mo., reading, in full: "I don't believe there is a line officer left in our Regt. Capt. [Miles P. S.] Cad[well, Co. K] was killed, Lieut's. [Edward F.] Edgely & [Clark W.] Huntley wounded. The 2d Lieut. of Co. B [James W. McCoy] led what was left of our Regt into the battle of South Mountain where he was wounded. Col. Phelps was not with us at Bull Run. He just got back from home. He now commands the brigade. There are 40 of our Regt. here that have been taken prisoner. Lieut [Hiram Chute] of Co. A reported killed [DOW 9/28/62] is down to Richmond. Mathew." Also included is the original transmittal cover. VG.
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