Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 14pp. 8vo., by Pvt. Abner Schopp, Co. C, 122nd Penn. Vols.,"Camp near Falmouth, [Va.], Dec. 22, 1862, reading, in small part: "…last Friday morning [actually, Thursday Dec. 11th] we were aroused about four…to get ready to march…about six in the morning cannonading commenced…toward Fredericksburg. It sounded as though their were half doz. thunder storms coming up…it was terrible, at least, I as a green soldier thought so…the boys seemed in very good spirits…our men were shelling the Rebels…in order to build a pontoon bridge across the river…the Rebel sharpshooters fired out of their houses…they cleared the town…in double quick time and went behind their breast works about one fourth of mile opposite town…eight in the evening the cannonading ceased. Next morning we were ordered to march to the river..but did not get across…we were…on the bridge when the rebels commenced shelling us…as we had all crossed. The music [band] struck up, Bully for you. Bully for you. They had hardly finished the piece of music…when shells come flying…I could not help being amused at the music Boys to see them skedaddle..but I…thought…the rebels…wanted to let us know what they are about……our batteries let them know that the Yankees have…heavy guns too…they kept up shelling…and we the 122 right in between…we had our position…behind the river bank…had they rushed upon us they might of cut us up…evening…we were ordered back across the river…morning [Dec. 13th]…we arose early and made coffee…not sooner had we finished…we heard that monster's sound again…crossed the river again…orders came to report in town at head quarters…when we came there they took us out one by one, double quick on picket just about one fourth of a mile from the Rebels. My position was quite near the battle. The battle had commenced…before I came there. I tell you it made a soldier dodge on account of the balls and shells. One shell or ball…I think it was a ball being as it was so quiet struck the ground about two feet from my head…our lieutenant…was right along side of me. It made us very quiet for a short time. Balls from the battle field we could hear whizzing fast [over] our heads, but we considered them not so dangerous…the musketry did not cease…until about seven…I could hear the Rebels give their command. I could also hear the poor wounded…moan and cry for help…my feelings have changed considerable since I am out as regards this evil war…[if] our leading officers would…not make so many mistakes the war would be at an end…it is the feeling throughout the different camps…I am…willing to serve out my nine month…if it is at the risk of my little life…to put a stop to this horrible war…could they take Richmond…we could starve them out of their entrenchments…must we fight them out of their good position here we will loose half our army…the army will lay still for a while…the poor soldiers are suffering from cold and many other things…I have not finished the battle…the wounded…I am not able to give you the number of our killed…the loss [was] pretty heavy. I saw them cross the pontoon bridge while we were laying along the river bank…the ambulances commenced going early in the morning…also a great many crossed on foot that were not badly wounded…the whole Union army that had crossed two days before had to skedaddle back…to our old camps…the whole regiment was scattered by the time we got over…artillery and troops [were] mixed up in the worst kind. Wagons stalled, batteries fell down the bank, a few soldiers killed. I really cant describe it……your friend, Abe." Minor soiling, else VG
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