2021-05 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2021
A great content Union soldier mother's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Adeline L. Root, Austinburg, [Ohio], June 1-2, 1864 to her son, Pvt. Edward L. Root 2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery, concerning the news of Charlie Austin's bereaved father's going to Washington after learning of his son's wounding. Originally a member of the 14th Ohio Light Artillery, Charles was urged by his father to accept a commission in the 60th Ohio. That action cost Charles his life after he was wounded at the battle of Mary's Bridge, Nye River, Virginia on May 9, 1864. He died on May 25th in Georgetown, D. C., and is buried in the Military Asylum Cemetery, Washington. Adeline also relates war news received from brother William who was new to war having joined the 60th Ohio just weeks before on April 5, 1864. She recalls for Edward his brother's account of the battle known as Mary's Bridge which took place on May 9th near Spotsylvania. As Mother Root penned this letter she had no idea that her son, William was dead-a victim of a sharpshooter's bullet while on picket duty along the banks of the North Anna on picket duty on May 25, 1864. His body now rests in Arlington National Cemetery. She writes, in part: "Yours written at the foot of Lookout Mountain [the 2nd was assigned to garrison duty in Chattanooga at the time] came to handàbringing some good news and some bad. Good because I infer from your silence you are well and bad because of the accident you spoke of. You are familiar with death and sufferingàWe had a letter from Williamàwritten near Spotsylvania C. H. He has been engaged in a battle on a hill about half an hour. They had to fall back because they had no support. As they fell back Warren [Churchill] was grazed across the back by a ball which stunned him, cut his suspenders, and he was taken prisoner. William said his wound was slight. But I am afraid how he will be treated. Mrs. Holbrook does not express much alarm about that. The first Lieutà.[John C.] Bolon [WIA Mary's Bridge, Va., 5/09/64] was struck by a ball at the knee and passed up to the body and shattered the bone badly-his leg had to be amputated. Charlie Austin was wounded through both hips. He is lying very sickàhis father [Aaron E. Austin] has gone to see him. They think he cannot survive longà[June 2nd]àthe bell has just tolled twenty five timesàfor Charlie Austin. I have heard he was not anxious to have a commission but his father and Griffin (that lives in the family)urged it upon himàCharlie said he had rather go back into the 14th [Ohio] Battery. We have just heard that the corpse arrived at Geneva last nightàit was embalmed. William [said] that they had been under fire about every day since the battle but they had thrown up earthworksàthey seemed to feel rather quietàthe papers states that our forces have crossed the Pamunkey and flanked Leeàtheir forces were within four hours march of Richmondàthere has been two drafted in this town. Salmon Hill Jun. and Luther Foote. Footeàwill be exempted on account of some defect in his handàDwight [Root, 14th Ohio Battery]àhe was at Decaturàthe main portion of the battery has gone on the with ShermanàAlfred Davis [2nd Lt. 98th Ohio] was in a fight at Dug Gap come out safeàMrs. Dole has been carried to Newburg by her husband and put into the insane Asylum a deranged woman. I hear that she is failingàA. L. Root." Overall VG
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