Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
War-date Union sodier Autograph Letter Signed by John H. Gray, Co. D, 19th Indiana Battery, 8pp. octavo, in front of Chattanooga, October 25, 1863, and reads in part: “...We are now...facing Lookout Mountain. We occupy a position on the right whereas formerly we held position in the center. General Grant is here. ...Another of our men died the other day of wounds received at Chickamauga...We were up in battle array this morning at 4 and are every ready for that enemy who lays so close at our doors. Although Rosecrans is the idol of this army, yet in that they have put Gen. Grant in Command, we are fully satisfied that we are safe, and when we have been sufficiently reinforced we expect to return to Georgia and retrieve what we lost just five weeks ago...We ae soldiers and live like soldiers...undergo hardships, privations, sufferings and toils innumerable for our country’s sake. ‘Down with the traitor, up with the flag.’ is our motto, and we will back it with ball, grape, cannister, shell and bombs, and if need be our blood, yea, our lives!...We intend to strengthen the works in our front this week, so as it insures us greater safety in case of an attack. So we will lay hold of the pick and shovel and show ourselves regular Irish Pat’s at the work. I happened at General Reynold’s Head Quarters the other day, and upon his asking whether I belonged to Capt. Floyd’s Company and being assured by me that I did, he replied ‘You fellows make good artillerists.’...Gen. Reynolds is a very kind pleasant man, head and hair like father’s , a keen eye, white teeth, silver beard, face bright, rather red and altogether our Division likes him to a man but now he is Chief of Staff and we have been placed under General Baird in the 3rd Div., 2nd Brigade, 14th Army Corp. Dept. Miss....General Grant says that Rebels must move away from the Rail Road in ten days, or we must move so I presume we will have some fighting before this letter reaches you...Our company now numbers 42 men, so you see it is cut down seventy-eight (78) in the space of one year and two months, so it is with almost all companies. If the reports we hear are true, viz. Meade defeated. Hard fighting near Trenton Geo. and Genl. Thomas wounded. We will evacuate this place in less than two weeks for we have less than half rations and no prospects for more beyond 5 days...” Fine condition.
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