Raynors 2020-05 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020
Confederate officer's letter, 2pp. 8vo., written by 1st Lt. Abner Newton Steele, [KIA Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862], Co. G (North Port Rifles), 11th Alabama Infantry, Camps near Chickahominy, Va.", May 12, 1862, to his wife Eleanor Caroline (Thompson) Steele (1825-1906), in part: "…we have stopped our retreat and every thing is quiet. The Yanks certainly cant be in hot pursuit or they would be near on our rear by this time but I hear nothing of them today. I have just heard the Beauregard has whipped them…at Corinth…I am very certain they will attack us here and give us a fair chance. We will give them the worst of all but I don't think McClellan intends to fight Johnson fairly if he can help it. We marched about sixty miles from Yorktown. The boys stood the march finely though a great many of the sick gave out wand was left behind…the Yanks got them all. Our company came through safe…[except] Sam Brown. We sent him to a landing on James river the day we left Williamsburg. The Yanks were about three hours behind us. We have not heard from Sam since. Peter [Sgt. Peter K. Thomson, his nephew] stood the march very well as I carry the heaviest of his baggage and let him ride my horse occasionally. Provisions got very scarce on the rout. I had to press an old fellers smoke house one day, took all his meat & meal. The next day I had to draw corn and issue it to the men. They parched it and dine finely on it but provisions met us here from Richmond and [now] we have plenty… [May 14th] …still at the same camp and everything quiet…there is no chance of a fight at present…watch the papers for Johnson's army. I am in Genl. Howell Cobb's Brigade…A. N. Steele." Very minor toning, else VG.
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