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, 2pp. folio, written by Hospital Steward David F. Kagey (1834-1923), 25th Virginia Infantry, "Gordon's Division Hospital near Dunlap Station, March 18, 1865" reading, in part: "…we cannot learn whether mail communications has been opened with the Valley yet. We have not heard definitely the whereabouts of the Yankee raiders nor…the precise direction they took after leaving the James River above Richmond…they doubtless did much damage to the Central R. Road between Richmond and Staunton. It may be sometime before it is put in running order…last Tuesday we received orders to prepare at once to move…this corps was to take the position of Anderson's Corps in the lines in front & around Petersburg. That corps had occupied the place Gordon's Corps now does…it was thought best to relieve them awhile as the troops…in front of Petersburg have to live under ground in "Bomb Proof" huts. Both lines being very close…at some points not over fifty or seventy five yards apart. Anderson's Corps moved out and took the place Gordon's (3rd) Corps occupied but 7 miles south of Petersburg. Our hospital is established…at least 3 miles from our brigade & division because we couldn't get a suitable place nearer. We are about 3 miles north of Petersburg on the Richmond & Petersburg & R. R…very close to the Dunlap Station…it is 19 miles from here to Richmond. We are fixing up to receive sick & wounded…in a few days…[March 20, 1865]…Dr. M. & several more of us rented a house this morning with four rooms convenient to the Hospt…we have 17 sick from our Brig. in Hospt.-about 40 from the division. The sick are all in large tents with brick chimneys attached in which we keep fire when cool. They are very comfortable indeed…we have a nice garden attached to our house…we are likely to remain…for the remainder of the war…went to [the] lines where our brigade lives under ground. The 25th Reg. occupies the "Crater" where the Yankees & our lines are not over 40 or 50 yards apart. I saw plenty of Yankees and could have hit them with a rock. By mutual agreement neither party fire during the day, but they shoot nearly all night. We have had no man wounded in the Brig. since there. Send us some radish seed-lettuce-any kind of early vegetable seed. I reckon the Yankees got "Marcus"…D. F. K…". An original transmittal cover is included. Minor soiling, else VG.
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.