2024-07 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2024
A Confederate soldier's letter written by William Bower Simmons who was enrolled as a student at Roanoke College when the Civil War erupted. He left school immediately and enlisted as a private in William T. Patton's Blue Ridge Rifles (Co. A) of the 28 Virginia Infantry. Datelined, Blue Ridge, Botetourt, Virginia, December 16, 1861. In part, "I certainly have seen the Elephant of camp life and the Tiger of acting the Soldier in all its different characteristics. I worked and fought on the Sabbath. Was exposed to all the fury of the storms of battle and the hazard of picket guard. Have slept upon the ground with no shelter save the starry vaults of the blue heavens. In addition, as it seems that I should know all of the trials and sufferings of the soldier. ... I was attacked on the 2nd of October with a most malignant spell of the Typhoid fever, which accounts for this sheet bearing the address of home. I reached home on the 7th of October which is just ten weeks ago, very sick indeed. I remember of getting home and sending for the Dr. and of him bleeding me. ... On the night of the 16th of November, I was attacked with Peritonitis, which is a disease that sometimes follows Typhoid fever and is one of the most dangerous maladies to which man is heir. Everyone who saw me thought that I was about making my exit out of this world. ..."
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