February 23rd, 2012
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2012
The 2nd Ohio Cavalry At The Battle of Newtonia, Missouri A great war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by 1st Sergeant "S. A. Rand", Co. G, 2nd Ohio Cavalry, "Camp near Big Springs, MO., Oct. 14, 1862", concerning Blunt's Missouri and Arkansas campaign including the little known action of Newtonia, Missouri that took place on Sept. 30, 1862, in small part: "…we were going down to thrash the rebels at Newtonia where there were some twelve thousand…it was a sight worth seeing when five batteries opened on them from the hills north of town & the rebels thought that they were not safe even behind their stone walls. Our loss in killed and wounded & taken prisoners was between three & four hundred. Theirs…will not fall short of one thousand. They were in a close body & our artillery mowed them down by scores. A detachment of about two hundred men from our regiment was all that could be mounted & I was sent to take charge of the men…we left the fort the 13th of Sept. & have been on the march nearly ever since our present location being a little north of Oakville where Gen. Price gave his men furloughs & sent them home to raise corn & oats calculating to be there to use them this fall…our horses have all the corn & oats in the sheaf that they can eat…we nearly died out last summer on the Indian Expedition living on hard bread…we are making up…by drawing from the Secesh…there are no men at home in the country except occasionally an old fellow who cannot see to shoot. They are all with Rains and Hindman expecting to retake Missouri but they have a hard road to travel before they drive the Feds, as they call us…last spring we were careful not to touch anything belonging to the rebels, but that did not work well. They staid at home until they had harvested their grain…then they all rushed off into the Southern army…hereto fore they could stay in the Army six months & the Negroes would take care of things & we would guard their property…the women throw stones at us when we go after forage & we take sheep, poultry & sweet potatoes…we tell them…if they want us to quit they must get their men out of the Army…after the Battle of Richmond…I was one of the first behind the rebel fortifications being one of the skirmishers & had a chance to see their living…their bread was made of…unbolted flour…they have no salt…". The original transmittal cover is included. VG.
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