Battle of First Bull Run 3rd Maine Vols. Letter.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020

Great battle of First Bull Run letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Pvt. Stephen A. Dodge, Co. D, 3rd Maine Vols. [KIA Chantilly, Va., Sept. 1, 1862], Claremont Farm, Va., July 26, 1861, to his "dear sister", in part: "Having got camped down again after our [?] and unsuccessful battle I now will endeavor to write the particulars. Last Sunday morning I wrote a few lines to let you know that I was alive and well…Sunday morning at 1/2 past two our brigade moved on about two miles then halted a spell, then we were moved on with our division in quick time…for seven miles…this tired us out a good many…also water was very scarce and a good many looked to choked when in came sights of the battlefield…we here met them bringing off the wounded soldiers…it was an awful sight to see them cut and mangled up so. We rushed on…threw away our blankets and overcoats…we got in front of their battery. They threw bombshells and cannon ballast us. Our regiment was in the rear and came last on the battlefield, but we did not get any rest hardly, but had to march right up and met the enemy…our regiment broke up some for we had to cross threw bushes and trees and the enemy all the time throwing their cannon balls at us from several fronts. We were not long on the field. I fired only five times then my gun was so hot that I could hardly hold on to the barrel. I don't know as I brought down any of the rebels for we had long shot and they were mostly hid in the bushes…they had every advantage. One ball from the enemy singed my cap a little. We retreated as soon as the bugles gave the alarm for the enemy was flanking us and the rear of our troops could not be rallied. We had no artillery on our side in action when we were in action…S. A. Dodge…". The original U. S. congressman free franked transmittal cover is included. Minor toning, else VG.

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