Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written b y Pvt. Morton Thompson, Co. A, 3rd Mass. Vols., Newport Barracks, [New Bern, N. C.], Nov. 13, 1862, in part: "…I am detailed to go to Havelock again this afternoon. While I sit here…the cavalry [are] having a mounted drill which if I saw at home I should think it considerable of sight but here we scarcely think of looking….the prettiest sight I have seen I think was when the expedition went up the river…yesterday morning about 3 o'clock I was standing on picket a few rods from camp. I heard a train of cars approaching I listened and found that they stopped at this station…there was some movement among the troops here. In a few moments the artillery bugle sounded the roll call…Lieut. Lyon came down without stopped to give the countersign [and] told us that NewBern was threatened…we formed a line, marched on board the cars and when the sun rose…seen a train of cars containing 3 companies of infantry, their bright muskets gleaning in the sunlight. Some were singing, others eating hard bread and all went in better spirits and with some courage than was expected. Behind the cars which carried the infantry were the two pieces of cannon and their appendages. Behind those were…the horses of the infantry and cavalry. When we reached New Bern we learned that some of our pickets had been fired at and driven in, but nothing was sent for but a battery so the infantry and cavelry all returned…Morton." The original transmittal cover is included. VG
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.