Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A good war-date Union surgeon's letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle 12th Maine Vols., Camp Parapet, [Carrolton, La.], Feb. 11, 1864, to his wife, in part: "…Dr. [Eldridge A.] Thompson has recd. his commission…he tells me that the 4 Cos. over the Lake have nearly all reenlisted. Our men here are also enlisting some of the Cos. more than three quarters already…the Regt will go home in a body sometime during the summer…I think I could get a surgeon's commission in the 2d Louisiana. Col. Brown…was talking to me about it the other day. Two of his Cos. are hereat the Parapet & i have charge of them. They are raised…for the defenses of New Orleans…there was a very sad affair occurred here last Sunday…a lieut. in the 1st La. Cavalry with three other men called at a grocery near here where they kept liquor…& asked for a drink. The door was closed and they were refused admittance…using insulting language the Lieut. burst the door open with his foot. He recd a charge of shot in the right breast killing him immediately. One of the other men then rushed in & recd another charge in his right arm about 4 inches below the shoulder, mangling it terribly. I was called upon & after administrating chloroform I amputated the arm about 2 inches below the shoulder. Everyone present supposed he could not live…the fact was evident…that the sooner the arm was off the more prospect there was of saving his life…he is now doing well. He is an Engineer on the Jackson railroad in the employment of the government. I was appointed the next day on an investigating committee to ascertain the facts in the case. The board was composed of seven. One Col., four capts., myself & a lieut. We found evidence enough against the man to find him over for trial & he is now in jail at Carrolton. The trail will take place Saturday in the city. Last Tuesday, Feb. 9 was Mardi-gras day. A great day here. I went down to the city to see the sights. The side walks were crowded and the masqueraders dressed in the most ludicrous…shapes imaginable were throwing flowers into the faces of the gazing bystanders to the amusements of all but the recipients. Women were out dressed in gentleman's clothes and vice versa. Some were richly dressed representing king, queens, princes of all times…it was a very amusing spectacle. Gen. Banks gave a masquerade ball in the evening. I went into one at Carrolton on my way back & stopped long enough to get an idea of the concern. They were dressed similar to those which I saw on the street…the river s rising quite fast. If it breaks through the levee we shall be all under water. Tell Jim Gibson he had better enlist…there is to be another draft of 500,00 men…W. C. Towle…". The original transmittal cover is included. A bit light, but readable, else VG
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