The Soldier of The 14th Ct. Writes of the Battle of Morton’s Ford

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

Union soldier's 3 pp. pencil letter written to his friend Gammiel, by William G. Nichols who mustered into "A" Co. CT 14th Infantry and was mustered Out on 5/31/1865 at Alexandria, VA. Dateline Stoney Mountain, feb. 7, 64. In part "We crossed over the rappahannock yesterday. Had a very hard fight. ... Our Regt. never lost so heavily before. ... Nearly everyone of the old men was wounded ... 15 wounded in Co. A. 125 killed, wounded and missing in the 14th. ... The 108th and 12th suffered about the same proportion. We could see nearly the whole of it by just going up on the mountain not over 200 rods ...Could see the Rebs was entrenching themselves. ..."The Battle of Morton's Ford was fought along the Rapidan. The battle was part of a broad reconnaissance in force by parts of The Army of The Potomac. The II Corps left their camps in the early morning hours of Feb. 6, and advanced toward Morton's Ford. The 3rd Division, including the 14th Connecticut, marched under General Alexander Hays. The 14th suffered almost half the Federal casualties in an engagement many came to consider a useless military endeavor. The 14th's 115 casualties were the most they suffered in any one engagement of the war.

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