July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
War-date Union officer’s Autograph Document Signed “Henry M. Van Winkle Capt. Comdg Co. ‘A’ 1st U.S. Colored Troops” 2pp. folio, Camp 1st U.S. Colored Troops, In the Field Va. Nov. 12th /64, and reads in part: “...I certify on honor, that on the 27th day of October 1864 at and in the vicinity of White Oaks before Richmond, Va. the articles enumerated below were lost...The Regt. to which my company belongs after a severe march from 5 a.m. to short time before sundown being almost constantly on foot took up a position on the extreme right of the 17th Army Corps in their recent movement on the left of the enemy’s line before Richmond, Va. After running considerable distance the Regt deployed in thick under brush and moved at the same gait for considerable distance by the flank to our right, the men being by this time nearly exhausted into an open field. About half a mile to our left was the Rebel line of works, which opened immediately with a battery upon us. We then fronted to the left and charged the works, which were carried, with two pieces of Artillery. We were however ordered to retire, as the rebels were massing upon our flank and we had no supports; In the charge many of the men were compelled to throw away their extra trappings to keep up, while others lost theirs by the breakage of the fastenings. In the charge two men were killed and ten wounded belonging to my company. our dead and severely wounded were left on the field, those that were helped off lost their garrison equipage as they had to be helped for considerable distance before any ambulance could be found...” Followed by list of articles lost. Sworn at bottom by 1st Segt. Henry Green, Sergt Robert Boulden, Segt John Ross, and Lt. Nathan Bishop. Fine condition.
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