Raynors 2020-05 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020
War-date Union officer Autograph Letter Signed, "J.C. Badger A.A.G. Office Hd Qrs 16th Army Corps", on the staff on General A.J. Smith, 3-1/2p. quarto, April 11, 1865, "In the Field near Blakely Ala", on printed "Headquarters 16th Army Corps" letterhead pertaining to the battles at Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort. In part: "...I snatch a few moments...to assure you of our safety, supposing that you will of course hear of our victories. On the evening of the 8th inst. The 3rd Division of this Corps after & during a heavy artillery fire along the whole line, assaulted and carried a water battery of the Rebels, capturing considerable heavy ordnance & two hundred prisoners. The excitement among the troops was intense, it was impossible to restrain them & in less than three hours after the 1st assault the stronghold 'Spanish Fort' was also in our possession. The 3rd Div. was supported by the 1st Div & 13th Army Corps. At the same time the Rebs were making an attack on our 2nd Div at this point, but were handsomely repulsed, & on the night of the 9th the 2nd Div attacked their works capturing everything they had. We have captured in all over 70 pieces of Artillery & some 3000 prisoners - the exact number is not yet known, there being some dispute as to whom the honor belongs. Our losses have been very slight since the 25th of March, the beginning of the active campaign, we have lost only 31 killed & 338 wounded. The enemy's loss is much greater. They suffered severely at the time of the assaults. The prisoners are well clothed & hearty looking, and rather jolly under the circumstances, but hardly know what to say in the face of our successes...we have news tonight that Mobile is being evacuated...We have glorious official news from Grant & Sherman, I suppose you will now all about it before this reaches you - I think the CSA are about to collapse - except perhaps the trans-Mississippi Dept. - There is some new news along our lines for the men are cheering like devils…" Folds, else VG to Fine. Rare account of these two engagements.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.