2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
Union soldier 6page letter written by George S. Hill who mustered into "I" Co. CT 27th Infantry, was wounded 12/13/1862 Fredericksburg, VA., POW 5/3/1863 Chancellorsville, VA., Paroled 5/15/1863 and died on 6/14/1863. The letter is written on patriotic stationary, with a large engraved image of the United States capitol. Datelined Camped at Falmouth, December 25th, 1862. In part, "let you know that I am still in the land of the living in spite of the bloody Rebels, but have not been well since the battle ... You have probably heard of the fight we had at Fredericksburg, and how we got whipped. I will tell you a little more about it. I must tell you the rude news that Nelson Thomas was killed. He singing 'tis noble thus to die on the battle field,' and he was also saying 'there is better days a coming' when a ball struck him in the head and killed him on the spot. ... I got hit 3 times, once right between the eyes, but it was a spent piece of shell, I expect, for it only went through the skin and is in there now. ... It hit me while I was firing at them. I dropped down and before I could load up again, I got hit in the thick part of my leg, which I thought had took my leg off, but it only badly bruised it and tore the flesh. It is now almost well ... and then I got hit in the side, but only bruised me and tore off a little hide, but that was near enough, I tell you ... My overcoat sleeves, how near the bullets came, for it has got 9 bullet holes in it. The bullets flew like hailstone ... Sam Field got shot in the finger and he is not very well. He has got a lame back. The talk today is we all a going to move back to Washington, and I hope we shall. Baldwin Hart, S. H. Scranton, and Chuckie have been here to see us today ... I showed them my overcoat, and Mr. Scranton said he wished anything that he had an overcoat to give me for it, for he said if he had it, he would take it right straight to Governor Buckingham and show it to him. I must close this from your affectionate Brother, George S. Hill."
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