Union Soldier Writes of the Battle of Hoke’s Run

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2020

War-date Union soldier Autograph Letter Signed by "Jo Dicks" 4pp. octavo, July 7, 1861, on Washington patriotic stationery, and reads in part: "...General Patterson had a fight at Hagerstown and routed 10,000 Rebels and took possession of their camp. General Scott say he will put it through in a very little while if Congress lets him go on. There is a chance for them all for one half of the Southern army are good Union men and the other half starved to death. I have not as much news as I expected I would have by this time for Congress has not done anything of any account yet. We have not received any money but expect it every day..." Fine condition...plus; Tract "Walking from Boston to Washington" 1861, 4pp. 16mo. Fine condition. (2 items) In 1861, Winfield Scott, now General-in-Chief of the U.S. Army, gave Patterson vague orders to retake Harpers Ferry. Patterson failed to immediately act on these orders, was outmaneuvered after the Battle of Hoke's Run, and a Confederate army at Winchester, Virginia, under Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, was able to march without interference to reinforce the Confederates under P.G.T. Beauregard at the First Battle of Bull Run. Johnston did, however, declare that Patterson's army had largely deterred him from pursuing the shattered and disorganized Union troops as they retreated back to Washington after the battle.[5] Patterson, widely criticized for his failure to contain the enemy forces, was mustered out of the Army in late July 1861.

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