July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
War-date Union officer’s Autograph Document Signed, "Lucien A. Smith" 1st Lieutenant, 136th New York Infantry, 2pp. quarto, April 1, 1865, Raleigh, North Carolina, pertaining to the Battle of Averysboro, North Carolina, one of the last fought in the state, and reads in part: "...I certify on honor that on the 16th of March 1865, the stores enumerated below were abandoned under the following circumstances: At the engagement near Averysboro, N.C. Mar. 16/65, the Regt. to which my Company belongs was directed to throw out a heavy line of skirmishers and advance on the enemy. My company was among those sent forward as skirmishers. We succeeded in driving the enemy from their position. During the engagement Private Michael R. Welch from my Co. was wounded we could not carry along his gun and accruements...The Advance and Ordnance Stores were afterwards collected, by orders from Divis. Commanders I could not obtain receipts. I further certify that during the long and ardius campaign which left Savannah G.A. the last of Jan. 1865 and terminated at Goldsboro, N.C. in March 1865, the stores enumerated below were worn out and broken that accept could not be had to an Inspecting Officer or transportation be furnished therefore we were compelled to abandon them..." Smith then records a list of stores including a Springfield Rifle Musket (cal. .58), 1 bayonet and scabbard and several cartridge boxes, etc. Near Fine. The Battle of Averasborough or The Battle of Averasboro, fought March 16, 1865, in Harnett and Cumberland counties, North Carolina, as part of the Carolinas Campaign of the American Civil War, was a prelude to the climactic Battle of Bentonville, which began three days later. The Confederates had not held up the Union Army as long as they had hoped. Each side suffered just under 700 casualties; however, these were losses the Federals could afford while the Confederates could not.
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