2020-09 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2020
War-date Confederate medical staff non-commissioned officer's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Hospital Steward David F. Kagey (1834-1923), 25th Virginia Infantry, "Camp in the Wilderness 9 miles below Petersburg, Dinwiddie Co. Va., Dec. 11, 1864," reading, in part: "…our division took the cars that night for Richmond…one regiment of our division could not get on the train Wednesday night. We had to wait all day Thursday till the trains returned from Richmond…we had the exquisite pleasure of riding in a freight car without fire with about fifty other soldiers crammed & joined together…immediately took the Petersburg cars arriving…about 10 a. m. We then had to march to this point getting here about sunset. We found our brigade…ready to go on picket. We are occupying the cabins put up by Heth's division which has gone down south. They are right up against the breastworks. This is a perfect wilderness . Much more of a wilderness than Spotsylvania. This is the poorest & most horrible country I have ever seen. Nothing but a pine forest. I wouldn't give five dollars in Confed. for a whole county here…it is quite a contrast with campaigning in the Valley. I feel confident now. I had better you [be] with Imboden…we are all about equally satisfied with this country…our medical wagon, ambulances etc. took the overland route from Waynesboro…we have no prospect getting back to the Valley again during the winter…I am terribly homesick…Drs. Henkel & Dr. Miller [are] both sting beside me around a blazing big pine log fire roasting our shins talking & hoping for better days. Jack [their servant] has gone to the spring for water…there is cannonading & skirmishing very day along our lines. Our brigade assisted some cavalry in recapturing some breastworks [that] they lost the day before…we lost none in taking back the works…direct to…25th Va. Regiment…terry's Brigade, Gordon's Division, A. N. Va., Below Petersburg…D. F. K." Near fine.
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