Map of Route of Poctoliga Expedition

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020

Autograph Letter Signed, "J. Sell Jennings", 4p. quarto, Capt. Grays, C.S. Office, Beardsley's Cavalry Brigade, Sigels 11 Corps., Fairfax CH, Va., October 20, 1862, addressed to James Woods. With good content it reads: "...We fight 'mit sigel' and a good fighter he is - I saw at Bulls Run 48 hours steady fight and the ten days before that the most wonderful retreat (from Rapidan to Manassas) ever made in this world - it was a wonder, and it astonishes me that no one seems to know that if was ever made incessant firing of Artillery, skirmishing and strategy unparalleled - Stuart's cavalry felt in out very wagon at Cattlett's and stole Gen. Pope's money and papers not ? of a mile from where we laid our boys killed two of them however - there was only thirteen of our guard and about 600 of them and they skedaddled - I wonder I was not shot for I got up and was out nearly the whole night without realizing the danger of being shot by either friend or foe - for in those sudden night attacks you may be shot by your best friend. I have experienced now two of them and such a battle as Bulls Run where men are slain by thousands are nothing in comparison - only imagine a terrible stormy black Thundering night - Flashes of vivid lightening every second and a hand reaching into a tired travelers wagon while another hand clutches a Revolver - you lie still as death not knowing whether it is friend or foe when finally - the villain sneaks off to another wagon hunting somebody to murder and rob - you crawl stealthily out and peer into the darkness and storm to see the scoundrel when bang Whew! Band whist, crack y-u-em whang yell and you hear bullets yell and scream past you by the dozens the next flash you think you are sure of one shot anyway you want to be sure and whisper- who are you and perhaps find it to be your bedfellow who has also crawled out of the wagon to see what is going on and is perhaps trying to get a shot at you thinking you as one of the murdering thieves - low find you are as likely to be shot by friend as well as foe and you scan the ground for rods around you very carefully by the succeeding flashes of lightening there is a few volleys here and there a moaning - a yell perhaps of death a few groans a hurrying past of mounted men and all is still till morning, but you don't sleep much that night-everybody is on guard till broad daylight - such is one of Stuart's brilliant surprises…" Fine.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).