“Major Culp, of our Regiment was killed when the fighting commenced”

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

Union soldier's letter written by Ellis Strouss who enlisted on 11/1/1861 as a private into "K" Co. PA 57th Infantry and was Mustered Out on 6/29/1865 at Alexandria, Va. Strouss was wounded 6/30/1862 Charles City Cross Roads, V. and again 5/5/1864 Wilderness, VA. The 4pp. pencil letter is datelined June 8, 1862, Fair Oaks Station, 7 Miles from Richmond, to his father. In part, "I sent you a few lines ... telling you that I had been in the battle of Fair Oaks and got out safe. We were under hot fire ... The balls came like a hail storm, but were mostly too high. Two of our men were killed in the crossing and one wounded, and Major Culp, of our Regiment was killed when the fighting commenced. We were some four miles from the scene and so had to double quick and form in line of battle and pour our fire into the ranks of the Traitors. ... They soon came and we again opened fire on them. I shall never forget the roar of musketry that sounded through the woods. ... Early next morning the fight was renewed by Hooker's .. and drove them a mile and a half at the point of bayonet ... Our regiment is very small now. It numbers about 300 men. We have near 200 now in the hospitals, 300 fit for duty. We lost in the fight 10 killed and 40 wounded ...."

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