Raynors HCA 2018-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018
War-date Union soldier Autograph Letter Signed by W. Hazen Noyes, 12th Massachusetts Infantry, 8pp. octavo, Camp at Halls Hill, Virginia, September 5, 1862, and reads in part: “...We was 3 or 4 weeks ago within a few miles of Gordonsville on the Bank of the Rapidan in good spirit & with some prospect of an advance on the Rebel Capitol but now we are lieing here tired dispirited & suffering from the fatigue & the results of a defeat & a more gloomy prospect that when we started a year ago....we certainly expected to fortify & strengthen our position & hold it until reinforcements from Gen. McClellan’s Army could arrive & take the offensive again. Gen Hartuff’s Brigade crossed the river...we had to cross double quick & we had not more than got safely across than they opened upon us & an Artillery fight lasted for 3 to 4 hours of the hardest kind but with but little loss on our side I did not hear of any one killed & but a few wounded I think that they lost quiet a number of men for they charged on the position that we occupied but could not taken them then we started again from there...marched to near Manassas Junction & stopped most of the day...we moved toward where a fight was then going on which ened with some advantage to us & the next day we moved farther to the front & drew a little rations...after noon the Battle commenced & our Brigade was near the Benton as a reserve then our Regt was moved toward the right & co. E was deployed as skirmisher but were soon called in & moved toward the left & it was soon apparent that they were trying to turn our left wing & our Division & Corps were sent front on the left & the firing was awful on the left of us & where we was forced back & in some disorder but we soon organized again & again went up but it was growing dark & soon the firing ceased & again a retreat commenced. Our loss on our side heavy I do not know anything about the number but it is larger there is no one but Aaron Spofford Jr. of Boxford known to be killed in our Co. but 3 or 4 are missing & it is not know whether they are killed or prisoner some Co’s lost more, but we all regret & mourn the loss of our beloved Col. he will be missed by us although the bullets whistled pretty much near pretty fast I passed through the battle unharmed. There is great indignation among every man engaged at the movements & Generalship of Gen. McDowell & if the government keeps him in command I shall soon lose confidence in the government itself...Gen. McClellan is almost worshipped by his old troops but they curse McDowell...” Fine condition.
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