2021-05 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2021
A rare ca. 1864, 1st Michigan Engineer's and Mechanics broadside style song sheet, entitled: "WAR SONG. BATTLE OF LAVERGNE. Fought January 1st, 1863, between the Michigan Engineers and Mechanicsàand two pieces of Artillery under the rebel Gen. Wheeler." by Pvt. Charles K. Brewer of Company G, measuring approximately 12 3/4 x 5 7/8", reading, in small part: "àWheeler, who leads a rebel bandàa curse upon our landàburned one hundred wagons on December twenty-nine and took our guards and teamsters, beyond the rebel linesàthe Engineers were at Lavergneàwhere Wheeler wished to take the train supplying brave Rosseàon New Year's day, they opened the ballàthe guards and teamsters did all desertàleaving the Engineers aloneàto maintain. They charged upon us shoutingàthe Engineers being ready gave them a deadly fireàtheir shells were falling 'round usàthree times the foe received our fire when coming hand to handàour boys now took steady aim and blazed away once more, when our rebel foe skedaddled as they have done before. Four hundred noble Wolverines whipped Wheeler's whole brigade saving our noble army's rear from a guerrilla raid. They sent us a flag of truce and bade us yield our postà'we don't surrender much, sir,' was our Colonels brave replyàour soldiers proved themselvesàand if again we meet the foe, we'll whip them as before and battle for our glorious cause, and make secesh give over." Forty-one year old Brewer enlisted to save the Union and served for three years in the 1st Michigan Engineers as an artificer. He was present during Sherman's epic Atlanta campaign after which he penned this stirring poem that was printed in broadside form. Folds with toning, else VG.
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