Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 2pp. legal size folio, written by Pvt. Daniel E. Gingrich, Co. H, 203rd Penn. Vols., Chapins Farm, Va., Oct. 16, 1864, to his brother Henry C. Gingrich, in part: "…we left Washington on…25th Sept. on bored the steamer Thomas Powell. Arrived at City Point Monday at noon…in the night…an order came from Gen. Grant to move up to the 10th "Corps De Armee" which we did…Wednesday we (the 10th Corps) left the south side of the James and were marched about 20 miles…arrived at "Deep Bottom" at 2 1/2…the next morning a fight commenced.Our Regt. lay as a reserve. Our men driving the enemy before them for about 5 miles-took the inner lines of battle of Gen. Lee and several forts…we were left at Deep Bottom…marched to…Chapin's Farm…the battle on Friday the 7th Oct…was here [during the battle of New Market Roads]…the shells flew thick & near to us but none of our Regt. was hurt…we are in Gen. Butler's army and we have have hard times. We are sometimes at work in the night & the next day march again. After we are done with our forts…this is a place [will be] impregnable & one which commands the New market & Macon roads…and…cuts off a great deal of the transports inland to Richmond, it being only 5 miles off. The Rebs made four attacks since we are holding it & were always repulsed. If they make an attack again it will…be a hard one as Lee is concentrating his forces as fast as he can. New troops arrive daily & the whole of Butler's army from here to Deep Bottom are very busy…brother, remain firm, do your duty at the polls while we are in the front. Do all for Lincoln & Johnson. Prisoners come in fast…about 300 per day. They all say if Lincoln is reelected they must eventually give it up. Please send [election] documents, tickets, etc…Daniel E. Gingrich, Company H, 203d Regt. P. V…". Minor pencil smudges, else VG
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