Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A great war-date manuscript Union officer's diary account, 5-1/2 pp. folio., written by, not signed, but originally included with Col. Stephenson's May 20, 1864 to Col. Parker, (see that letter included in this sale), Capt. Edward O. Shepard, [later major, WIA Gettysburg, 7/02/63; Petersburg, Va., 6/18/64; WIA & POW Hatcher's Run, Va., 2/06/65], Co. G, 32nd Mass. Vols. detailing, in rather poetic prose, the role the 32nd Mass. played in the opening of Grant's Overland campaign starting on April 30, through May 19, 1864, reading, in very small part: "[April 30, 1864]…at ten…a. m. the long expected 'pack up' order came…the Thirty Second bade adieu to Liberty its winter home…[May 1st]…the bugle sounds and we are off at 9…across the Rappahannock for the 15th time…[May 3d]…the snow on the distant mountains give an unusual coolness in the air…the white hooted village disappeared and its population was on the road to Culpepper…[May 4th]…at ten…last night we were waked up…marched all night crossing Rapidan at Germania Ford…camped near the cross roads…[May 5th]…the usual quiet signs denoting an approaching battle became apparent at early daylight. The enemy are advancing was soon the common remark. We were formed in line of battle and went busily to work building breastworks…went out beyond them to give fight to the cautious foe…[May 6th]…I was detached with my company as skirmishers. We have been popping at an almost unseen enemy all day. At night back within entrenchments…[May 7th]…kept moving to different positions during last night …at five o'clock firing commenced directly in our front…we remained all day ready…for an attack, but none came…save a few skirmish advances. At ten p. m. we marched…and kept plodding all night…[May 8th]…36 men in all-tired, hungry, exhausted…come up with the retreating enemy half way between Hardy's Tavern and Spotsylvania Court House. Serious fighting immediately commenced. Our regiment supported the 5th Mass. Battery…and were engaged an hour…[May 9th]…we found ourselves behind breastworks. The reb skirmishers popping away at ours and receiving pops in return…there has been heavy firing to our right and some to our left at odd times. We lie in an open field, broiling beneath the hot sun …[May 10th]…had a miserable night in command of the brigade line of picket. The line was driven from the rifle pits and a constant firing was kept up…the skirmish line again took the rifle pits…the battery near us has given the enemy a terrible cannonading…[May 11th]…both armies have remained quiet some fighting on the left…sharpshooters send their missiles over us hitting those in the rear…[May 12th]…there was heavy fighting on our left…the 62nd [Penn.] and the 9th Mass. advanced to charge the batteries in our front. A flank fire drove us back…we lost five officers. The 2nd Corps took twenty guns and the rebel Gen. Johnson with a division of prisoners…[May 13th]…hardly were we comfortably laid down to sleep for the first time in many nights when at nine…the order came to move at once…we marched all night through deep mud…[May 14th]…shower through the day. Artillery and skirmish firing through the day. Were kept in constant expectation of advancing…but were mercifully kept from that useless butchery. The rebels and their breastworks are plainly in view about a mile in front…[May 15th]…the Corps advanced in double line of battle as if to charge the enemy's works…[May 16th]…there has been but little firing to night…[May 17th]…built breastworks to protect us in case the enemy opened his batteries on us. After dark the Corps advanced to a new position directly in front of Spotsylvania Court House and within nine hundred yards of the enemy's works…our Corps is to hold the centre while attacks are to be made on the enemy's flanks…[May 18th]…no fighting has been heard on either flank…[May 19th]…this morning our pickets exchanged papers with the rebels in the most friendly manner. At noon a shot from one of our cannon sent every man to cover and the same pickets began popping at each other. At sunset the rebs made an attack on our extreme right and were repulsed by regiments of heavy artillery belonging to the 22d Corps. The first brigade went to reinforce the right and our brigade moved to fill up its place forming a single line instead of two…". Toned, the final two pages are attached at the top by scrap book tab, else VG
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