July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
War-date Union officer’s Autograph Letter Signed by Capt. Henry A Wiley, Company B, 104th New York Infantry, December 7, 1862, 4pp. quarto, Camp 104th NYSV, Brooks Station, Virginia, and reads in part: “...have been under marching orders several times since but the roads are so bad at present that it is perfectly impossible to advance yet...We have just learned of the sailing of Gen. Banks expedition form New York and of course are feeling a good deal of interest to know what the destitnation of it is; and are expecting soon to hear of a splendid Union victory achieved by his noble troops....It is our opinion here that it will land somewhere in the rear of Richmond or that is turn up there before the Rebs are aware of it, and then Burnsides will advance from Falmouth and a blow will be struck at the Capitol of Rebel States which if successful will be the means of bringing this wicked rebellion to a close; and peace and prosperity again return to our land. What a terrible thing this war is, up North you know nothing of the effects of a large army passing through or encamping around a large place. I should like to have you here now and see the troops that are encamped within a few miles of here, between here and Falmouth a distance of 8 or 10 miles there is nearly 150,000 of our troops in camp and are all waiting to cross the Rappahannock as soon as practiclbe. Burnsides army is massed near Falmouth and the Rebels are said to have a large force in the vicinity of Fredericksburg and are determined to dispute our crossing and Lee is ordered to give Burnside battle near Fredericksburg, before falling back to Richmond. Lee is said to have over fifty batteries bearing on the fords and places of crossing where our troops will have to cross should this be true the Rappahannock will be red with blood if we attempt to cross there. Burnside made a rapid march and flank movement from Warrenton some three weeks ago to the vicinity of Fredericksburg and would have crossed without any opposition had the men in charge of the construction of the RR and bridges have done their duty and pushed their work as they might have done and today our noble army would have been near the Rebel capitol and Jeff Davis and his miserable hordes fairly trembling with fear....” More. Very good condition.
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