2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
War-date Union soldier’s Autograph Letter Signed, “George Sassaman...Co. I, 48 Regt. Pen. Vol.” 3p. octavo, on “Baby Walker” illustrated lettersheet, Camp Near Hatteras Inlet, June 25, 1862, in German, though with nice drawings of two cavalry soldiers firing rifles at three empty saddle horses. VG. Recruited in the mining regions of Schuylkill County. Leaving the State, September 24, 1861, it proceeded to Fort Monroe, where it remained encamped until November 11th, when it sailed for Hatteras Island, N.C. It served in Burnside's Department, and in April, 1862, was assigned to Nagle's Brigade, Reno's Division, in which command it fought at Manassas. The regiment followed the various fortunes of the Ninth Corps in all its wanderings; fought well at Antietam and Fredericksburg; then shared the hardships of the campaign in West Tennessee; and, in 1864, having reenlisted for the war, rejoined the Army of the Potomac. At Antietam the regiment lost 8 killed, 51 wounded, and 1 missing; and at Spotsylvania, 17 killed and 86 wounded. Though an efficient regiment in battle, the Forty-eighth became famous by reason of its connection with the Mine at Petersburg. This mine was excavated entirely by the men of the Forty-eighth under the supervision of Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants, who conceived the idea, planned and carried it out. The main gangway was over 500 feet long; 8,000 pounds of powder were successfully exploded, forming a crater 250 feet long, and 25 feet deep. Colonel Pleasants and his men received a special acknowledgment of their services in General Orders, No. 32. The regiment fought its last battle April 2, 1865, at the Fall of Petersburg, in which Colonel Gowan was killed. He entered the service as a Lieutenant, serving with honor in every campaign, only to meet his fate in the final battle.
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