2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
Rare war-date Union soldier's letter, 2pp. folio, written by Sgt. Thomas Rufus Barnes, Co. K, 10th Virginia (Union) Vols., Camp in the field, Sept. 12, 1864 concerning the battle of Berryvill and being a "Lincolnite", reading, in part: "…I escaped unhurt through the engagement near Berryville the 3d Inst….The fight near Berryville was quite spirited. The Rebs drove our men in the first charge; however they rallied and charged the enemy. Nook's command lost 300 killed and wounded, the Rebels loss was one third greater, besides fifty prisoners one stand of colors and some small arms taken by our men. Our Regt. lost one man killed and one wounded, we were not engaged or rather did no shooting. Our Brigade being sent to protect the right flank. Crook's command forms the right of the Inft. line of battle, which is half way between Berryville and Bunker Hill. Averell had a fight at Bunker Hill (five miles from here) Saturday he whipped the rebels and rumor says he captured a battery and two hundred prisoners…How is [the] Presidential campaign progressing in Ritchie, I am a Lincolnite, from the fact he is the right man in the right place…". Organized in March 1862, the 10th fought at Winchester, Cedar Creek and Petersburg. Needless to say, letters from West Virginia units are rare and seldom seen in the marketplace.
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