Tension Builds In The Union Camp Days Before The Battle Of Iuka

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005

A 4pp. 8vo. letter written in ink, on a patriotic letter sheet show an armed Union soldier in front of a cannon and tent scene, by Sergeant Martin V. Miller [Corinth Miss., Sept 16th 1862], to his sister concerning the possibly of evacuating Iuka, reading, in part: "...the Rebels are again making their appearance in this neighborhood. Our forces were driven from Iuka about 25 miles from here, a few days ago and it is reported that Gen Price is advancing with a large force…we have been under marching orders for two or three days with three days rations. Everything…looks as if it were preparing to evacuate…I think we are able to hold our position unless our Generals here defeat our Army as they have been doing in VA, but…most of our Officers are Union men…at least I think they will not refuse to fight for the Union. This place is literally overrun with Negroes of all ages, sizes, colors, and kind who have run away from their masters or their matters ran away from them rather. The men readily find employment as common laborers while the majority of the females, for they can hardly be called women, are taken in to camp to cook; still there are hundreds of them idle…". Irregular margins, with light soiling, else very good.

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