Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
A rare account of the Union charge during the Mine Explosion, Petersburg on July 30, 1864, being a 3pp. 8vo., letter, on patriotic stationery, written by Pvt. David Cuff, Co. A, 97th New York Vols., "Camp of the 97th Regt. N. Y., Near Petersburg, Va., Aug. 13, 1864, to his friend, Pvt. Dwight W. Stannard, who was WIA at the Wilderness on May 5th and, then again, on June 13, 1864 at the battle of White Oak Swamp, Va., severely in the right arm which required amputation, reading, in part: "Well Dwight…old Cuff is alright. The D. M. [damned] Johnnys have tride to blow us up here two or three time [since the Mine Explosion], but haven't made it out, but we fixed them I suppose you have heard of men going to Heaven alive. Damn me if they wasn't going by peaces, blowed men, cannon and all clear out of the fort. Our men charged as soon as the fort was blowed up. [They] took the first line of their works and the g-d d. m. Black, cowardly sons of Bitches of Niggers came and relieved our men and as soon as the niggars came…the rebus charged on them with one brigade and drove eight thousand clear back to our works. Talk about the n**rs fighting. (How are you fight). Well Dwight how is your arm getting along. I hope it is well. You ought to have been here to see our brigade charge on the rebus. Only one line of battle and we charged on a fort and two lines of breastworks. On the left of whare our regt was the men didn't charge. We was down on review and when we charged on top of the hill that left our flanks open and the rebus got a cross fire on us and knocked [the] shit out of us, but we go so close to their fort that the cannoneers could not load their pieces. As soon as one would stick his head up he would be a gone Johney…my respects to all the boys…your friend, Cuff, Co. A 97." Also included is the letter's original 97th New York regimental patriotic transmittal cover showing a red, white and blue printed elephant carrying an American flag, reading, "The Union, Constitution, Liberty, and Law!!" Light toning, negligible repaired tear to cover, else VG.
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