2020-09 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2020
War-date Confederate medical staff non-commissioned officer's battle letter, 1 1/2pp. folio, written by Hospital Steward David F. Kagey (1834-1923), 25th Virginia Infantry, [Cold Harbor, Va.], June 3, 1864, reading, in part: "The battle was renewed this morning about 3 o'c. & continued throughout most of the day. The enemy [was] repulsed at every point except for a few moments in front of Gen. Breckinridge's line…they charged our breastworks many times in six or eight columns. Their loss…was heavy. Our's comparatively slight. We however had 5 generals wounded (slightly most of them). Gen. Doles of Ga. was killed in the attack our troops made upon the enemy last evening. Our forces hold the 3rd line of their works yet. The cannonading has been heavy on our right…throughout the day. I fear the decisive battle has not yet been fought. I would be glad if it was over…the box of provisions sent by kind friends at New Market…for the wounded landed here …& will be properly distributed…I fear the Yankee's are in the Valley again…[Saturday morning, June 4th 1864]…it is tolerably quiet in our front this morning, but heavy skirmishing is constantly going on along some portion of our lines…an occasional battery of artillery opens upon the enemy. A few wounded coming in occasionally. I have not heard from Rice's Battery yet…I was in Richmond a few hours last Monday to get some Hospital supplies for Terry's Brigade…I didn't think of mentioning it until I turned over this piece paper & found a pass written by Dr. Henkel. Hastily, D. F. K." The pass mentioned above is indeed on the verso of this letter and reads, in part: "Field Hops. Gordon's Division, June 1st 1864. Hosp. Steward D. F. Kagey, Terry's Brig. is ordered to Med. Purveyor Hines, Richmond, Va., to procure Med. supplies for the use of Terry's Brig. to return this evening. C[aspar] C. Henkel. Sen. Surg. Terry's Brigade…". The original transmittal cover is included. Minor soiling, else VG to near fine.
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.