2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
A great Gettysburg campaign colonel's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Col. Daniel G. Bingham (WIA Chancellorsviile & Gettysburg) 64th New York Vols., "HdQrs. 64th Regt. N. Y. V., Camp near Falmouth, Va., June 14, 1863, at noon," to his "dear mother," in part: "- last night about sundown Col. Burke, Comdy. Brigade sent for the regimental commanders & informed them that the wagons mutt be packed by 8 - this a. m. - the wagon train would proceed the troops 'which', said he with a sarcastic smile 'indicates' a movement - to the front. Of course, he meant to the rear. Falmouth station was broken up yesterday - the Corps hospital were broken up & the patients sent to Washington - stores have been burned at Acquia creek - at midnight I was awakened by an order to pack the wagons immediately. It was an order from Gen'l. Hooker to the Corps commanders. So I sent for the wagons &b when they arrived I recd. another order to park till 8 a. m. - so I enrolled my blankets & went to sleep - just at daylight recd. another order to pack immediately - the wagons with all our baggage went off at 8. More than ha;f the Regt. went 4 miles on picket yesterday - they will have but 2 days rations - we expected they would be in the last line of pickets on the river - I was detailed Corps officer of the day this morning - in the face of the enemy - this division & our little brigade will be the rear guard. If there is any fighting we shall be in it. Where we shall go to I have no right to speculate on, but I am afraid that it is a general falling back of the army, an abandonment of the whole position. It is very disheartening & every man feels it. We have lost a valuable office in the transfer of Gen'l. Couch. Gen'l. Hancock commands the Corps & Gen'l. Caldwell our Division, an unluckily change for our division, I fear. Some cannonading is heard up the river - I can not realize how near we are to carnage & the turmoil of battle when all nature around us is so peaceful, 'only man is vile.' I remember how vivid this idea was - early on the morning of the battle of Chancellorsville - I never heard the birds sing more sweetly, but my reverie was broken by the order of the Rebel Gen'l., 'prepare for our advance' & sentimental thoughts were soon drowned in ideas of a very different nature - D. G. Brigham." Near fine.
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