Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
War-date Confederate soldier Autograph Letter Signed by H.F. Jones, 2pp. quarto, Camp Washington, Yorktown, Virginia, September 30, 1861, and reads in part: “...Gen. Magruder has had the troops of Yorktown out on general review. It took place at 10 o’clock this morning and we were on our horses about 6 hours. A great many of the infantry gave out and had to leave ranks on account of the heat. Fortunately for me I was appointed marker on account of the good looks of my horse and had quite an easy time of it. There were 6 regiments out and they made decidedly a fine show. The Florida Regiment, Col. Ward, is here and was out. I have met him once or twice but never recognized him. The Polish Brigade from La. was out also and quite a feroucious set they are. Of course, the ‘Legion’ made quite a fine show. I find out since writing to you that he house I was speaking of is the residence of the First Governor of Va. - Gov. Spotswood. It has two holes in one of its rooms where the pistols of Gen. Washington exploded accidently....We made Great Bethel as headquaters and went out every day. A great many soldiers of the fight still remain on the ground, limbs cut off by cannon ball are still haning to the trees, occassionally you can see about half a mile from the road of their retreat, a broadside against a tree made by cannon balls. The Old church, an antiquated old building, is very much dilapidated, bearing the marks of its old age both inside and outside. The benches are scattered all over the ground for acres around, appropriated by the soldiers for their comfort while camped there. The walls inside are completely covered with names of soldiers from nearly all parts of the Southern Confederacy. I left mine in a conspicious position just above the pulpit, and perhaps it will bear evidence of my being in the war for generations to come. In a conspicious was found these lines: The flag of the South, Oh, long may it wave, O’er the ground of ‘Great Bethel’ and the vandal’s grave. We pitched camp in the grave yard connected with the church, and I took my rest between two graves....We went in sight of Hampton and some of the boys say they saw three Yankees across the creek, but they were men in the retreat. We found the bridges burned there which had been burned some time. We then went about two miles below Hampton to New Market Bridge and in a mile of Newport News and found the bridge burned there the night before by the Yankees when they heard of our coming...” Fine condition.
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