This Soldier Provides a Full Page Map - Later He would Be Mortally Wounded

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2023

Union soldier's 6pp letter plus map written by William W. Wells who on 0/12/1861 he mustered into "F" Co. PA 58th Infantry. Wells was wounded 5/26/1864 Newbern, NC (Severely wounded in left leg, amputated), Surgical operation 6/6/1864 Newbern, NC (Re-amputation of left leg). Wells died of wounds on 6/11/1864 at Newbern, NC. Datelined; Camp Suffolk VA., Dec. 22nd 1862, Ferry's Brigade Peck's Division. In part, " I must tell about our last raid on the Backwater. ... an orderly came into camp ... 58 Regiment will form on the South Quay Road at 12 am with thre days rations .. Then there was hurrying to and fro ... blankets rolled .. haversacks filled and cartridge boxes replenished ... We were soon in motion ... at dusk we camped in a cleared field ... At 8 we were again in motion .. The overloaded pontoon wagons and artillery sinking in the mud delayed us every step ... There was hour after hour when we could advance but a few yards at a time ... It was sunrise before we reached the Blackwater. .... We had just got our fires built when our parrots woke the echoes of of the Blackwater ... then the scattering drops of musketry like the pattering of heavy rain drops .. Then a heavy volley from the Rebs in answer. .. Along the line we could hear the greybacks calling us all sorts of names. ... At the same moment they fired again. The sight of our rifled Parrot was trained upon the smoke and ere their shell reached us, a reply was on its way ... Directly another shell passed behind me and then they came thicker and faster, bursting all around us, tearing off large branches and striking among us. ... A curious sound their Parrots shells have, something like a railroad car under full motion. I like to hear them. That is when they are going toward the Rebs. .... The final full page contains his map of the battle.

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