2022-07 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2022
War-date Union soldier's letter, 5pp, 8vo., on George Washington embossed patriotic stationery, written by Pvt. William R. Tittle, Co. H, 55th Ohio Vols., [n. p., but Moorefield, (West) Virginia], April 21, 1862, reading, in part: "Wednesday morning [April 16, 1862] about 8 o'clock we started and marched 6 miles - made coffee - then marched 7 miles and camped - we encamped - on the west side of the river 3 miles below Moorfield - where the brigade is to be formed - they was 26 of us detailed to do down the river after a ferry boat. It had got loose. They didn't know where it was. They was a large island a little ways below - I got in a canoe and went round the island - we went down the west side to the point of the island and didn't find it - the boys in the canoe found it - 2 lieutenants with us asked if any of us could swim across to the island. It wasn't wide but very swift. 2 boys belonging to Co. E said they would. They kept on their shirts and drawers. One of them put ion his boots and wouldn't take them off. They insisted - but he would not and went up - and jumped in - he went down about 80 rods and drowned. He hollowed for help but nothing could be done. His body has not been found. His name was George Mins. [George W. Minus]. He was about 20 years old - [Monday morning, 21] - the ground is quite wet and very muddy. They is several regiments encamped near Moorefield. General Schenck came to Romney Monday morning and has been with us since. He has his headquarters here now - we got the ferry boat up to its place, ready for us to go across. The cavalry fetched in 25 bushwhackers Saturday afternoon, 19 had no uniform on, 23 of them had guns. They was squirrel rifles. They was a hard looking set - I don't know what they will do with them - they is quite a number at Grafton sick out of the regt. Col. [John Calvin] Lee [and brevet brigadier general] got back the 8th. Major [Daniel F.] DeWolf is home sick. I have not - herd of that box - I don't know what I would do with it for we cant hardly carry our clothes. Our load is about 50 pounds - W. R. Tittle." Overall VG.
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