2025-01 Raynors Historical Collectible Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2025
A Confederate Surgeon’s 2pp. letter written to his father by Surgeon Caspar C. Henkel who enlisted as a surgeorn (date unknown) into Va. 37th Infantry. Datelined: Winchester, Va., March 10th, 1862 Monday morning 8:00 o'clock. In large part, “We are encamped here at the old Fair Grounds with our squad (not regiment) of men. We send all the sick up the valley, so I have not much to do & cannot help thinking a great deal about the perilous condition of our country & homes. We fully expected an engagement here last Friday, were all in battle line waiting for the approach of the vile invaders of our country. The pickets had a considerable fight, but the enemy did not advance in large numbers. We have since learned that they have fallen back & are concentrating their forces, some 25 or 30,000 strong. Jackson is felling trees, throwing up earthworks, pulling down stone fences, etc., apparently preparing for an engagement. I don't think so. I think he is just keeping up appearances until he can get all the big guns away & all the stores, etc., and then if the enemy comes in too large numbers, he will fall back to Strasburg. He may have skirmished with them all the way to keep them in check. I learned yesterday that Manassas was evacuated by our forces & of course we cannot remain at this point & if we cannot remain here, where can we remain in this valley? I learned yesterday in strict confidence from one of the officers in Jackson's Brigade whom you know very well & esteem highly (he remarked that I might give you a hint of it) that Jackson's orders from the War Department are to fall back, back, back , perhaps as far as Harrisonburg & he thinks that will be pretty soon. There will be a strong effort made to hold Staunton in order to keep possession of the Central R.R. so we may be reinforced or supplied. My opinion is if we give up this point, we give up all west of the Blue Ridge. I would advise you to dispose of all the surplus flour, send it to Staunton & the farmer ought to take their flour from the mills. If it is distributed in small parcels, they are not so apt to get it all. All those who have been in the Army will have to go with the current. The others had better remain & take what comes. The Yankees in this lower country are appropriating the flour, grain, hay, beef & horses for their own use without any remuneration. The policy of the War Department seems to be to diminish our line of operations & concentrate our forces, perhaps to make the last death struggle. The picture I represent is the gloomiest side, but the facts stare me in the face & I cannot help but see it as it is. We must make the best of it. They may take our property, our homes, our lives, but they cannot deprive us of that inheritance prepared for us above. I feel that this is great calamity which has befallen us & has been brought upon us for an all wise purpose to make one and all of us deeply sensible of our great wickedness & of our great dependence upon Him who gave us life & all we have. Our Army seems to be in fine spirits & will do good fighting when they are called on by their officers. ... You will please destroy this letter for fear it may fall into improper hands. I think the militia will all be home soon. I do not see how I can remain out of the Army. I have not made any arrangements yet to go into any particular branch of the service. I suppose the board has not yet decided who of the Drs. is to remain at home. I will be pleased to hear from you soon. ... your son Caspar P. S. Please do not neglect destroying this letter.
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