2021-05 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2021
A good war-date Union sailor's letter 4pp. 4to., written Z. S. Knisey, "U. S. Gunboat Cincinnati", (a Ead's City-Class ironclad), "off Ft. Pillow", April 18, 1862"àmy father too has goneàhe could never recover. Oh, it pains me to the heart yet I cant help itàwe are now in the enemies country and my service are indispensable. We are laying in sight of Ft. Pillow, Tennessee. A very strong place. The fort commands the whole river with 100 heavy guns. It will be their last stand on the river, so say [their] deserters. Their army is very much demoralizedàif our forces are successful at Corinth all is over, if not, only God knows when the war will end. We are waiting for the result of Corinth then will push ahead and make a desperate assault then on for Memphis and New Orleans. The gunboats are not doing anything now save guarding the mortar boats which keep up a constant firing àtheir thirteen inch shell annoys the d..d rebels some. The shell when filled weighs over 200 lbsàwhere they strike the ground there's holes as large as a house. Oh, they are powerful. It would do you good to see them flying at night, a perfect streak of fire and such a buzz too. The health of our boat is exceedingly good not having a single man in the sick bunkàtis very warm here and the confinement makes one feel sluggish and bad but stillàmy health is very goodàevery thing is quiet in the fleet and you have heard of all we have done up the river. The woods are perfectly clothed in their mantle of greenàallànature looks smiling and gayàZ. S. Kniseyà"
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