2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Charles L. Hewitt, Co. E, 7th Conn. Vols., Bermuda Hundred, [Va.], May 17, 1864 concerning the battle of Drewry's Bluff, reading, in part: "…We have been trying to draw forces from Richmond, we have been within 8 miles of Richmond. We have had some pretty brisk fighting. We drove them at every point until yesterday morning when Old Lee had to send a force to stop us. We had a fight and retreated back to this place where we have got entrenchments and they doesn't come…Gen. Grant improved the opportunity to give them a worse dressing than they gave us. The Winstead boys are all right but Pat Quigley. We think he is taken prisoner and another fellow by the name of Garret Renders [Reinders] was taken with him from this Co. There was 20 of us from a Co. detailed to hold the rifle pits until the regiment retreated. We all get off safe from this…but them two. They thought it was sure death to leave the pits and so staid and was taken. Jim and I was with them, but we both got off safe. Edward Sage that used to be clerk for Bushnell was killed, and Henry Kimberly, brother to David Kimberly of Goshen, was killed…". Also included is the original transmittal cover without stamp. Hewitt served throughout the war fighting at the battles of Fort Wagner, Olustee, Florida, Bermuda Hundred before he was discharged in late 1864.
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