2020-01 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/18/2020
Autograph Letter Signed by Charles F. McCoy Jr. (1846-1864), 8p. Octavo, Headquarters Wheelers Corps, Tunnel Hill, May 3, 1864, and reads in part: "...Again have I been under fire & again have I heard the whistle of that spiteful little thing called the 'minnie ball' and this time I heard for the first time the noise that cannon ball & bombshell makes...Sunday morning I got a pass & proceeded over towards Genl W.H.T. Walker's Div. While passing through Dalton I saw Miles Jenkin from Augusta who told me that the whole 63rd Geo. Regt. was encamped up on the road a piece. Knowing that Oglethorpe's from town were in it & that I knew several of the boys, I rode up there to see them. I saw Frank Lamar from town who told me that Mr. Hills & Shackleford & Bailey & King Walker & Geo. Lamback, who were all conscripted who were over there. I was so glad that they have been sent up here to the front that I believe I made Frank Lamar mad. You never saw such a dirty set of boys in your life. They have been also reduced from artillery to infantry which is pretty hard. After talking with them some time I rode on over to Gen'l Walkers Hd. Qtrs. Where I saw Miss Mollie & Mrs. Walker… At last I went over to Jackson's Brigade & saw Juriah Dyers & Albert hatch & Amos Clark & Geo. Butler. After staying there some little while I went back to Genl. Walker's Quarters & walked into the room and was introduced to Gen'l Jos. E. Johnston commanding Army of Tennessee & also to Genl Makall his Chief of Staff. Genl Johnston talked directly to me for a little while & Gen'l Walker praised me up to him, saying that I left Augusta by my own free will & was not forced. Genl Johnston is a very imposing looking man but not as fine looking at Gen'l Lee. I considered myself very much honored by being introduced to him...Yesterday I was detailed as a courier at Hd. Qtrs. and proceeded over there about sun rise & got there just as a courier came dashing up from the Picket post with the news that the Yankees had driven in our pockets & were advancing in heavy force. All the couriers were sent off but me & I was ordered to take a dispatch to Brig. Humes who was way up in front. I went up in a full min & got there & was unavoidably detained when the Yanks came down at double quick in sight. I turned Hood head for camp as soon as I got my reply and drove the spurs in & away I went over ditches & fences & along little by paths with balls flying all around me like everything it was the hottest fire I have ever been under, or ever want to be under. At last I reached Gen'l Wheeler & gave him Gen'l Humes reply which was this 'This Enemy are pressing my right like Hell & I am falling back right into town.' Genl Wheeler merely nodded his head & said 'Alright' he then formed his line of battle just this side of Tunnel Hill & awaited the Yankee advance. They soon planted a battery of artillery to [?] upon us & of all the noises I have ever heard a shell makes the worst. After shelling us awhile I was ordered by Gen'l Wheeler's A.A. Gen'l to take his horse to the rear which was a very fine horse & he was afraid the Yanks would get him.
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