Raynors HCA 2019-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019
War-date Union soldier's battle/execution letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Joseph A. Alexander, Co. C, 125th New York Vols., [died as POW Andersonville, Ga., June 27, 1864], "Head Quarters of 125th Regiment N. Y. V. Camp near Rapidan River, V. A., Sept. 21, 1863", to his father, in part: "…we have moved from our old camp near Warrenton Junction…we are now in front of the enemy. We crossed the river with a large cavalry force in advanced of us. They found the rebel cavalry in force at Brandy Station. Our cavalry gave them a fight and the rebels began to fall back. Our corps was acting as a reserve for the cavalry. The rebels made two stands but our men made them run. We took 3 pieces of cannon and prisoners at Culpeper Court House. We went as far as Culpeper where we went into camp while the cavalry drove the rebels back to their fortifications on the Rapidan River. We stayed at Culpeper 3 nights and when we pulled up stakes we marched through town with flags flying and bands playing…there was quite a scene…at Division Headquarters last Friday at 4 o'clock…it was the shooting of two deserters. They had gotten a large bounty and deserted to the rebel lines…then they got their clothes and came back and gave themselves up as prisoners of war. They thought that they could get out of it…but they got caught. They were by some of their fellow soldiers. They were court martialed and sentenced to death…their hands were tied behind them and their eyes were blindfolded as they knelt on their coffins. There were 16 men taken to shoot them. One of the prisoners received 3 shots before he was dead. The other men was killed instantly. I did not want to see those poor man shot to death…Joseph Alexander." Alexander first became a POW at Harpers Ferry, VA, on Sept. 15, 162, when his regiment surrendered to Stonewall Jackson after his short siege of the city during the Antietam Campaign. He was paroled the very next day. His second confinement began when he was captured during the Mine Run Campaign, on Dec. 1, 1863. He was confined at Belle Isle, Richmond and then Andersonville where he died on June 27, 1864 from disease. His body is buried at the Andersonville National Cemetery in grave number 1755. Very minor tape repair effecting several splits, else VG.
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