2023-03 HCA Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2023
Union soldier's letters written by May Humphreys Stacey who was commissioned into US Army 12th Infantry being a Captain and rising to Lt Colonel 4/9/1865 by Brevet. The first 2pp., letter is datelined Camp 12 miles from Richmond, May 23, 1862, to his father. In part, "THE ENEMY HAS DETERMINED TO MAKE A FIGHT THIS SIDE OF RICHMOND ... MCCLELLAN KNOWS WHAT HE IS ABOUT, BUT HE IS COMMITTING A MISTAKE TO ALLOW THE ENEMY TIME TO IMPROVE THE FORTIFIED LINES IN THE VICINITY OF RICHMOND. YOU WILL NO DOUBT BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THIS ARMY HAS LOST SINCE IT LANDED AT FORTRESS MONROE IN KILLED, WOUNDED, MISSING & SICK, TWELVE THOUSAND MEN. ... THE EFFECTIVE STRENGTH OF THE ARMY IS REDUCED THAT MUCH SINCE IT LANDED ON THE PENINSULA. .... The second 3pp letter is datelined Camp Lovel, May 27, 1862, also to his father. In part, "WE HAVE DRIVEN THE ENEMY "TO THE WALL," AND NOW NOTHING REMAINS FOR HIM BUT TO BACK OUT QUIETLY, BE DEFEATED, OR LICK US. ... MCCLELLAN SAYS THAT ALL WHICH IS NECESSARY TO INSURE SUCCESS IS CONDENSED CONFIDENCE IN THE LEADERS & A FIRM RELIANCE ON THE BAYONET. THE REBELS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS REBELLION COOLY AMUSED THEMSELVES BY STEALING ALL THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY THEY COULD LAY THEIR HANDS ON; THEY ARE NOW HAVING THE COLD STEEL PROMISED THEM IN ANOTHER WAY.
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