Raynors HCA 2020-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2020
A rare Medal of Honor winner's war-date letter, 4pp. 4to., 1st Sgt. Wilmon W. Blackmar, Co. K, 15th Penn. (Anderson Troop) Cavalry, Chattanooga, Tenn., Oct. 29, 1863, to his father, in part: "…we have known for several days that Hooker was pouching up his two Corps on the other side of Lookout Mt.to dislodge the enemy and open more direct communication with Bridgeport…we heard heavy cannonading and about 1 a. m. heavy musketry down the river…two of my company who had been sent…with dispatches came to me…and told me the 33d Mass. Regt. was in the thickest of the fight and the Col. was among the wounded…Adin Underwood was Col. of 33d and so I got permission to go to the battlefield in hopes to serve him or some of my old Arsenal schoolmates 3 of whom are in his Regt…the Hospt.-a hill side covered with wounded men lying on hay, blankets…here I found some of the 33d, but none I knew. I crossed the road where a grave was preparing and saw Adjutant Mudge and Lieut. Burrage lying cold & dead having been shot at the head of their commands while charging the Rebel breastworks. Adjutant Mudge was a Boston boy. I did not know hi, but when I lifted the blanket and looked at his pale face with the mark of honor on his forehead where a traitor had placed his fatal bullet I could not but drop a tear and think of his poor mother. I wonder if she knows it yet. Several privates lay near awaiting burial. Each bore his name upon his breast, but I was looking for one still living…was directed to a log house a little off the road…stepped quietly into the house. Seeing a sufferer in Blue uniform on a bed I asked if it was Col. Underwood. "No, he is in that room" pointing to a kind of quilt door. I entered noiseless and asked the attendant if the Col. was asleep. No, he has just awoke…I stepped up to the bed and saw a fine looking soldier-still wearing the coat with the Eagles on its shoulders-lying pale & still. I almost feared to speak to him or make him try to remember my name…he opened his eyes and said I said Col. are you strong enough to let me speak to you…"Oh! Yes!" I then told him my name…"O I remember your father well. He is a good old man." "I am very glad you came to see me." I then told him…I should like to serve him in any way…he was very glad of my offer and dictated a dispatch…in a firm manly tone. He was at a loss how to word it so as to convey that he was badly hurt, but there was hope. He pressed my hand warmly and introduced me to his brother-in-law, Capt. [George M.] Walker, who is slightly wounded on the shoulder…I bade him good bye. He asked to be kindly remembered to you…mounting my horse rode towards the front…I found the remains of the Regt. occupying the grounds nobly won. They had carried the breastworks held by the same Rebs (Longstreet's) they had fought on the Potomac…the 33d was right in the front and awaiting some demonstration from the enemy…the Reb. batteries were booming and throwing their shot & shell in a lively manner, but…were aiming to the right of us…being in a hurry to send Col. dispatch I stayed a few moments…I made straight for Chatt. meeting Gens. Hooker, Carl Schurz, Howard, Butterfield and others on the road looking at positions, etc., etc. As I came by the Hospt. I learned that Col. was still alive and sleeping sweetly. I saw the men who took him off the field who told me that the ball entered the fleshy part of the thigh, passed through the Bag & extracted from the Penis, a very delicate & dangerous wound you see. I shall try to see Adin tomorrow…and hope to kind him out of danger…try to see his father and see if my telegram reached him. Adin was wounded about 1 a. m. 29th inst. He is in a log house a little off the main road to the left coming from Bridgeport about 25 m. from B. & 5 from Chatt…Wilmon." Fold split, else VG
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