2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
An extraordinary, graphic and detailed Confedearet 8pp. letter written by Dr. Frank Shaw, Carrol County Maryland. Included with this letter are four Medical documents confirming Shaw’s identification (not listed in the date base). Datelined, Woodsboro, Sept. 24, 1862, In large part, “... Since you left Maryland great changes have taken place - Cities, Towns, & villages which were once held by Federal Soldiers have been held by the Great Army of the South again vacated & again occupied by the Federal Army. Counties Villages & Farm Houses where peace reigned & Plucky smiled have been laid waste by the devastation hand of War. Homes that were once happy and where no sound fell upon the ear save the affectionate voices of kind Fathers & Mothers in words of gentle remonstrance with Children are now Hospitals where Groans of the Wounded & the Screams of the dying may now be heard from "early morn til dreary eve". On last Sabbath I visited the field where the great "Battle of Sharpsburg" was fought. Such a Sight! Heaven grant that I may never see another. Fences torn down - Crops destroyed - Large Oak Trees Monarchs of the Forest Splintered off at the Trunk, Books, Tracts, Blankets, Shells, Military Caps, Guns, Cartridge Boxes, Cartridges, Cannon Balls, Boxes that once contained cartridges & shells but which were now empty all lay scattered around here, there & every where over an area of Six Miles. And to complete the horrible scene where this "dance of death" had taken place here & there (although thousands had been buried) might be seen the blackened corpse with eyes staring from their sockets. Mouth open- parched Tongue protruding- arms extended with a ghastly smile upon the countenance all which seemed to say in language too plain to be misunderstood ‘I have Suffered’. Some still clinging to their Guns which seemed to say their last thoughts was of their country - another with a letter in his grasp from a Father a Mother a Sister or Brother appeared to say my last thoughts were of ‘Home Sweet Home’ another with the miniature of a Loving Wife or sweetheart closely pressed to his heart and there as he lay in the cold and icy arms of death could almost be heard to breath ‘If thou were here I could die Happy’. And close by his side might be seen a Fair Youth 'or whose Head scarce a score of years had yet passed with an open Bible before him - open the fly leaf of which might be written in fine delicate hand - Presented to By his Mother. Federal and Confederate Horse and Rider lay side by side. Here upon the Top and upon the side of a sloping Hill Here beneath this apple Tree there beside that gushing stream might be seen standing out in bold Relief the Rough boards upon which were inscribed sometimes the names but often the number of those who lay beneath. Upon one I saw written these words ‘Here in this ditch lies Twenty eight Federal Soldiers’. Almost every Farm House I passed from Boonsboro: to Sharpsburg was a Hospital - I saw Barns full of Wounded - Barn Yards and at one place I actually saw them in a Hog Pen. In Boonsboro they have taken possession of School Houses and Churches In Frederick I have been told they have made Hospitals out of the "City" "Central" & "United States" Hotels. Whether the Confederates took their wounded along or whether they had not so many wounded I am unable to say: but almost all the wounded that I saw were Federal Soldiers. This was a hard fought battle and from what I saw and could learn from Soldiers & Citizens I am induced to believe with the "New York Tribune" that not an inch of ground was gained but what was dearly paid for in loyal Blood. And it is the impression of some that had it not been for Reinforcements which McClellan received that he would have been forced to have again taken refuge behind the Fortifications at Washington. I saw the Confederate Army during their visit to Frederick - and a more destitute set of Men I never saw some with scarcely a Coat to put on their backs some with scarcely enough rags hanging on them to hide their nakedness. But notwithstanding all-though they were naked though they were hungry still not a word of complaint escaped their lips their only question was can I buy something to wear. They had money and were willing to pay for everything they got. Some had Confederate Money Some Government money and some silver. A more gentlemanly set of Men I never saw from the highest officer down to the Ragged Private in the Ranks. I tell you beneath those old Home spun Hackets beat some Nobel Hearts A man by the name of Rinehart interrogated one of the Soldiers as to why they wore such ragged cloths and his reply was we do not put on our best cloths to butcher Hogs. But I must close I have had no offer yet for the buggy nor for the watch. Lee Norris has never said a word about - paying that Judgment and I would not pretend to say when he will pay it. A number of recruits for the Southern Army were raised in Liberty & Johnsville District among the rest was Stephen Lawrence, Jno W. Heard (ie: "A" Co. Maryland 2nd Infantry.) raised a full company and marched off with the Army on its retreat from Frederick as Captain. Sharpsburg was not burned as reported although several houses were struck by shells. I passed through the place last Sunday. Write soon as Mother is very anxious to hear from you.”
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