Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
War-date Union soldier's Wilson Raid Battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Bugler George A. Sargent (1843-1928), Co. L, 1st New Hampshire Cavalry, Camp Stoneman, [Washington] D. C.] Aug. 4, 1864, to his parents, in part: "…we left camp…on Tuesday [June] 26th…traveling all night. Crossed the Appomattox about nine and halted…near the James. We did not unsaddle but laid down on the ground, teeing our bridles to our legs…sleeping until daylight when we crossed the James on muffled pontoons. I saw those four 20 lb Parrott guns that were captured by our infantry that morning. We kept advancing till we got within about three miles of Malvern Hill where met the enemy and had quite a little skirmish. The two forces slept within pistol shot of each other that night. Next morning when we went to water our horses we went within 100 yards of the reb pickets. We could see them very plainly being posted on the edge of a cornfield. That morning our cavalry had a sharp fight [action at Stoney Creek, June 28, 1864] with [A. P.] Hill's Corps, driving our boys back some…just as we were going to the rear the rebus charged on one of our batteries, but they were ready for them giving them a double ration of grape and canister. They gave way then our brigade charged and captured a battle flag from a North Carolina regt. and some prisoners. We then fell back…letting the 2nd Corps take care of the rebus. We went into camp and stayed until midnight when we stole across the river and slept till morning when the Brigade had orders to be ready to fight [battle of Ream's Station, June 29] on foot. All the band was ordered to go with them…to take care of the wounded. I was one of the four detailed to stay behind to look out for the horses and instruments…our forces were drawn up in line of battle and the Gen. [David McM. Gregg] with his staff and orderlies were riding up and down the line with the three battle flags captured the day before, trying to draw out the rebus, but it was no go. They occupied the woods while our forces was out on the open plain (called Strawberry Plain) about a mile from the woods. Our cavalry came back across the river that night…traveling the whole length of our lines in front of Petersburg. We went very close to the city…to see the steeples. We arrived there about the time of that terrible but disastrous charge on the reb rifle pits. I saw great numbers of the wounded coming in. The biggest portion of them being negroes. It was the intention of the cavalry corps to make a dash on the south side of Petersburg, but the infantry failing to accomplish their work we were wanted. We stopped…near the left of our army…we learnt…that our division…was to embark for Maryland. Our brigade was the first to start…we passed Mt. Vernon playing the dead march, Playes hymn and Star Spangles Banner, the bell of the boat tolling in the meantime…". The original stamped transmittal cover, addressed to" "Mr. Thos. Sargent, South Boston, Mass." is included. Sargent's wartime diary been recently published under the title: "For Our Beloved Country: The Diary of a Bugler." Archival tape repairs to fold splits, else VG.
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