Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 9 1/2pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. George S. Youngs, [POW Harper's Ferry, Va., 9/15/62], Co. G, 126th New York Vols., "Provost Guard, Hd. Qrs. 2nd Corps in the field near Petersburg, Va., Aug. 26th, 1864", in part: "…we have had another little tramp to Ream's Station…Monday we (the Guard) moved out near the Gurley house where General Hancock's Hd. Qrs had been…marched to Ream's Station on the Petersburg and Weldon R. R. arriving there about 2 P. M. The R. R. was being torn up, the ties burned and the rails cut…from the point where General Warren's lines cross it near Petersburg up to this place…in addition to this large trees had been felled cross the tracks, or where the tracks had been, rendering the reconstruction of the road a matter of considerable…labor…everything remained quiet through the afternoon and night. Yesterday morning some skirmishing was heard on the left of our lines at no great distance from Hd. Qrs, in fact our breastworks, in which lay our line of battle was but a few yards distant. The skirmishing lasted but a few moments, but soon broke out again farther to the left. This also soon ceased and soon broke out again still farther to the left pretty well on our flank and continued to swing around until it had got nearly square in our rear. A battery had been opened on our left flank by the enemy which threw a shell occasionally without doing any great damage…the Guard was called upon to meet them. Major Ball came galloping down from Gen. Hancock's and ordered us to fall in with only our guns and accouterments. As soon as the ranks were formed he gave the…unusual order to 'unfix bayonets' and then 'load at will'…we moved down the road to our rear and…deployed as skirmishers…ordered to hold that position at all hazards because if we were driven back…it would gibe the Rebs possession of the road and thus cut off our retreat…the firing came nearer and nearer…occasionally a bullet came zipping past our ears…the halted before reaching us and soon after the firing ceased. Cavalry was sent out in front of us and a skirmish line of the First Division also advanced…a few yards…the Hd. Qrs. had been taken down and packed in the wagons…not long after this skirmishing commenced in our front and after a short…time the Rebels made a charge but were easily repulsed, their loss being considerable…soon flowed by a second charge more determined than the first on our front. Coffee coolers…and dead beats began to make for the rear…it was the general impression that we were nearly surrounded. This charge was more desperate than the first and the firing lasted longer, but…was repulsed…our artillery had been firing some at intervals but soon after this repulse they commenced a vigorous shelling of the Rebels…the Rebels…responded with equal vigor and then the wagons, ambulances, pack mules etc. commenced skedaddling on a run. We were deployed…to prevent their moving faster than a walk, but before this was done the rebels were heard as they advanced with a yell for the third time…they evidently came in much greater force than they had before as they made much more noise…then the awful din of musketry was added to the thunder of the cannon and the yells of men. The bullets flew past and over us thick and fast and soon men with muskets and officers with swords commenced to mingle with the crowd of non combatants which were passing to the rear. For a moment we held them in check, but it quickly became a perfect stampede…it was utterly impossible to rally these officers with drawn swords…tho' our line was pretty strong it was forced back by the crowd. All of Gen. Hancock's staff were here, there and everywhere endeavoring to rally the men…the Gen. himself besought…the men to follow him. In the midst of the confusion his horse was shot under him, but he was soon mounted again and after a while was partially successful in rallying the men who finally retook a portion of the works. We lost nine guns and a number of prisoners…as soon as it was dark…Gen. Hancock commenced the withdrawal of the corps…Captain Bronson mustering officer in Gen. H's staff was killed. Col. Wilkes A. A. G. is missing, supposed to be wounded and a prisoner. Col. Smith chief commissary had a horse shot under him. C. Wolverton, one of the Guard, was dangerously wounded in the neck by a bullet…several men of the Regt were wounded…two men in the Regt being killed. As we were going back…after the fight…I passed C. Allegor who I regret to say is badly wounded just above the left ankle. The ball struck the bone, but whether it is so bad as to render amputation…I cannot say. He was being helped back by two comrades. I saw a certain Lt. of the Regt a long way back in the rear. He was not endeavoring to rally the men either…the rebels had all withdrawn…leaving their wounded on the field…Gregg's cavalry has been sent out to bury the dead and care for the wounded. All quiet here today…[Sunday, August 28th 1864]…A. J. Ralph and E. Hancock of Co. G are missing, supposed to be prisoners…Col. Walker has not been heard form…George S. Youngs…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. Minor spotting, else VG
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