2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
Autograph Letter Signed by Captain Ellis C. Strouss, 4p. octavo, pencil, Camp of the 57th Regt. P.V.V., April 5, 1865, ‘In the field Va.’, and reads in part: “...I wrote to you on the 3 inst. telling you that Petersburg was ours...you will also have learned that Richmond is in the hands of the Yankees & that the stars & stripes once more float over the Rebel Capital. Our Corps & the 5th & 6th Corps did not get to enter the two cities which have fallen into their possession for we started after the Rebel Army. Lee has not made a stand yet. His men are dropping off by thousands. They are leaving him & are going to their homes. Lee may stand us another fight if he can form a junction with Johnston’s army. But Sherman will be close on the heels of Johnston, which will give us a much larger Army then the rebels can bring againt us. We have a report here that Johnston has surrendered his army to Sherman but I doubt the truth of it....By reading the news papers you can learn all the particulars of our late movements & the splendid strategy used by Gen. Grant to compel the evacuation of Richmond & Petersburg. We are at present near Burkesville, Va. t he junction of the South side & the Richmond & Lynchburg rail road. It is expected taht Lee will make a stand there if he does any place. We are halting just now for the purpose of drawing rations and then ‘We’ll go marching on’ The boys all feel good, gay as larks. Flushed with victory as they are now they could march 50 miles a day and not feel it...I am glad I did not get a leave of absence for I would not have missed the glorious campaign of the last few days for a great deal....April 8, 1865. I am well, we have had some fighting. We are routing the enemy horse, foot & dragoon...I send this to Washington by one of our officers who has been discharged...” Fine.
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