July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
War-date Union officer’s Autograph Letter Signed by Major Watson B. Smith, 8th Michigan Cavalry, later brevetted colonel, taken POW August 2, 1864 during Stoneman’s Raid, 4pp. quarto, January 12, 1864, Mossy Creek, East Tennessee, and reads in part: “...It is my opinion that no portion of the great Army of the U.S. have seen rougher times than the cavalry portion of this Army of the Ohio during the last few months...The Rebels opposite us under General Longstreet are in a pitable condition. Many of them are barefoot and any quantity ragged. Many of them come into our lines & give themselves up and report great discontent in the whole army. My little horse, Billy, is about well of his wound in the head received at Knoxville. The bullet that hit him killed a man before it hit the horse. At the Beans Station fight he was hit again but not seriously, the bullet tore the skin on one of his hind legs. I took him out today when visiting the pickets & he felt as gay as you please. You ought to have seen Billy when we charged the rebels near Beans Station. Everyman spurred & urged his horse to the utmost speed & cheered as though ‘old nick’ was after them or they after ‘old nick’. Billy thought it was a scrub race & put in his ‘best licks.’ I wanted to draw my pistol & take a few shots at the rebel hounds but it was as much as my two hands could to be snug on my horse & was obliged to let the rebs shoot at me & I hold on to my horse & keep along with the rest after them, not firing a shot...My black boy cooks for our mess. He came into our lines from a Mississippi regiment. He is tall, has almost blue eyes, a moustache & goatee - is a blacksmith by trade & is naturally a mighty good & smart negro. Dave Barney, that is his name. Wants to go North with me & if nothing prevents I shall take him...” Fine condition.
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