Helping Open The "Cracker Line" and The Battle of Wauhatchie.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/15/2021

Union soldier's war-date battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Marcus Walker, Co. E, 141st New York Vols., "near Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 3, 1863," to his parents, reading in part: "-we left Bridgeport the 27th of Oct. [as part of the movement to open the "Cracker Line"] and started towards Chattanooga - the 21st we had a little fight - a patrol from our Regt - run into the Rebs and had a skirmish. They had the largest number and we fell back a piece and waited for reinforcements - the Rebs was calculating to surprise the 11th and 12th Corps but we was a little too sharp for them - the 12th Corps done a biggest share of the fighting. This was the night of the 28th [the battle of Wauhatchie, Tenn.] - since that time we have not stayed 24 hours in a place but have been building breastworks and laying behind them, changing positions etc. - we in a valley along the foot of Lookout Mountain. The Rebs shell us from their batteries on the mountain when they see us going along the road. They have not done any damage yet - their gunners are not good - although they have got a few as close as I care about having - our Regiment had one man wounded, one taken prisoner and seven missing, either killed or prisoners. There is a big battle expected - before long - the Rebs have been trying to starve us when we was up at Bridgeport. They burnt some railroad bridges and we could not get rations through but it was not long before we had them built up again. Rations is not very plenty down here - we have learned to make mush from corn in the can - I think I will be home sometime [soon] for I don't believe that this war is going to last always. If our forces are successful down here that it is going to be about the last Battle. Gen. Grant is in command. We are under Hooker, the 11th & 12th Corps - Marcus Walker." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Light toning, else near fine.

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