Soldier Letter With Gettysburg Content

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/18/2020

Confederate Soldier's letter written by "A.S. Rives", 4-pages, datelined Engineer Bureau, July 16, 1863, VG. In part, :"I am truly sorry to hear of the many accidents to the young men of our neighborhood in the recent battle at Gettysburg. It seems to have been truly a most sanguinary battle. I sincerely trust that Channing will not be a long sufferer in consequence of his long ride to Winchester. I saw Fredrick yesterday who gave me more information in regards to Channing's wound ... What does father think of the promotion of D.H. Hill to Lieutenant General with orders to proceed to Mississippi & report for duty? ... I am coming reluctantly to the conclusion that we have no bright military stars in the West... Writing of Genl. Hill reminds me of one of his last orders before leaving North Carolina. After thanking a portion of the gallant troops of his command, he bears very heavily upon the Cavalry & Militia, particularly the latter which he describes as being composed of 1 Col., 1 Lt. Col., 1 Major, 10 Captains, 30 Lieutenants and 1 private with misery in his bowels! ... The Federals have sent Admiral Dahlgren of great gun memory, to attack Charleston & they have at last begun approaches, successive action, under direction of Genl. Quincy Gilmore, who is represented to be an engineer officer. The sketch (not present) will be of assistance in understanding. From Folly Island they made and attack and lodgment upon Morris Island & now apparently propose to reduce Battery Wagner by regular approaches, supported on the right flank by iron clad gun boats; then Cummings Point Battery in the same way & finally Fort Sumter from this later point. The plan is well conceived but will require time to execute, and I hope Genl. Beauregard's skill as an engineer will enable him to foil the enemy. their first attack on Battery Wagner had, as you are doubtless aware, proved a most disastrous failure. ..."

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