Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Mathew Halpin, [POW Second Bull Run, Va., 8/29/62], Co. K, 22nd New York Vols., Camp Auger, Va., Feb. 12, 1862, to his friend Albert A. Fletcher, reading, in part: "Yours…was duly received…with an ambrotype of George [Crane 34th New York Vols.]…he seems to have grown a good deal…I was over to the Vermont Regts….those things that your father sent me in care of Lieut. Crane never got there…our whole brigade has got new rifles. They are death at 500 yds. We are drilling skirmish drill, or I might say Indian fighting. I like it very much. It will benefit us in scouting or in driving in the enemy's pickets. We are going to have one company of 180 sharp shooters in each Regt. They are picked out of the best marksmen. Each man is to fire 4 shots, each day for 4 days, 1st at 180 ids. Next at 350, next at 450 and last at 550 ids. Those men are to go ahead of their Regt. and fight on their own hook & shot every man that wears a sash or sword. The mud is awful deep. I never seen so much mud in my life. I have signed an allotment roll, allotting 20 dollars of my pay…to you. If lost through the mail Uncle Sam will account for it…our troops are giving the Rebels hell in the West and South. I don't see why they keep such a large army here on the banks of Potomac doing nothing but picket duty. Their troops here will never be in better fighting condition than they are now…we are going out to try our new rifles to see who will be sharp shooters…I am going to try my best…truly your, Mathew." Also included is the original transmittal cover. VG.
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