THE BATTLE OF GAINES MILL

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/26/2023

This 4pp legal size letter with original cover is datelined, Head Quarters 5th Me. Regt. Near Harrison Landing July 9th, 1862. In part, "I would say to you I am well and hearty as ever. I think I shrunk up a little in the last week's fight as IT WAS FIGHT ALL DAY & MARCH ALL NIGHT FOR A WEEK AND NOTHING TO EAT. But we are now over that safe. ... I OFTEN THINK OF WHAT MAJ. FRYE TOLD US THE DAY OUR COMPANY WAS FORMED AT BETHEL THAT MANY OF US WOULD LAY OUR BONES IN SOUTHERN SOIL. OUR LITTLE REGT. WENT INTO THE FIGHT WITH LESS THAN FOUR HUNDRED MEN, AND OUR LOSS WAS ABOUT (70) SEVENTY OR ONE TO FIVE WAS KILLED OR WOUNDED. .. And in fact, there was one out of every three killed or wounded that actually had a hand in the fight as many fell out before coming to the stretch and as soon as one was wounded, there would be two to four to get him off, so it lessoned our numbers very fast. ... When I brought off the Regt. from the field there was about one hundred of us trusty soldiers as ever faced a foe. I AM NOW SPEAKING OF THE GAINES MILL FIGHT AS IT IS NOW CALLED. IT WAS THE HARDEST FIGHT OF THE WAR. ... I AM AT THE PRESENT TIME ACTING LIEUT. COL. WHILE COL. FRICK IS ACTING COL. BUT STILL EVERYTHING GOES AS I SAY. I WAS IN FULL COMMAND FOR ONE WEEK BUT GOT ALL WORN OUT AS I HAD NO HORSE. BUT NOW I HAVE A HORSE AND ALL THE FIXING. ... As for danger, I think nothing about it. I shall try to do my duty when called upon. I AM SURE I SHALL NEVER GO WHERE THE LEAD AND HAIL WILL FLY THICKER THAN IT DID AT GAINES HILL. But I will leave it for others to tell. ... I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR. THE CRICKETS EAT UP MY COAT, THAT IS WHAT WAS LEFT OF IT FROM W. P. (WEST POINT), ALSO MY BOOTS ARE ALL GONE, SHIRTS, AND FINALLY I HAVE NOT ANYTHING FIT TO WEAR. I AM ASHAMED TO BE AROUND AMONG FOLKS WITH SUCH CLOTHES. .. I do not want a commission in this under Col. Jackson, nor I will not accept of one as I do not like him, nor I will never be jumped, if I am, I shall resign. I will take a commission in any of the other Regt., even to go to N. C. or anywhere but under Jackson. ..."

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