September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
The battle of Gettysburg began at 4:30 in the morning on July 1, 1863 when Confederate General Henry Heth stumbled into the a combined force of Union cavalrymen and infantry post on Seminary Ridge just west of the town of Gettysburg. When Corp. Charles Reaves formed with his comrades of the 1st South Carolina Vols. for an attack against the Union lines formed on Seminary Ridge little did he know he would not survive the fight. As part of Col. Abner Perrin's brigade, he would charge against Union Cavalry Colonel William Gamble's cavalrymen armed with Sharps repeating carbines and infantrymen of the Army of the Potomac's 1st and 11th Corps. It was nearly nearing 3:30 p.m. and Reaves had only moments to live. He would be shot (as described in the letter here) as his regiment routed these last Union defenders on Seminary Ridge stationed near the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Perrin's brigade was one of the first to help collapse the Union line and after forming his men for the final drive he pushed them forward, but this time without Corp. Reaves. On they ran, after the fleeing Union soldiers, through the town streets of Gettysburg and it was Reaves regiment that planted the first Confederate flag in the town square of Gettysburg. After the battle was over, Reaves' commander, Capt. William P. Shooter wrote Reaves' father a heart-felt condolence letter that is very informative on his regiment's role in the battle of Gettysburg, 2pp. folio, "Bunker Hill, Va., Thursday 16 July 1863," reading, in part: "It is my painful duty to inform you of Charles' death which occurred on 1st July…on 30 June our division biuwacked in South Mountains. Early in the morning on 1 July we resumed the march and had proceeded but four miles when we came up with the [en]emy strongly posted in line of hills. Heth's division formed the first line and our division the second. Heth's division advanced and drove the enemy about half a mile when we were ordered to charge which we did driving the enemy before us-when within about 200 yards of the enemy's Batteries the brigades on our right and left gave way. It was for us a most critical moment but we continued the charge. When within about one hundred yards of the enemies works Charley fell. He was hit just above the right hip by a rifle [ba]ll which…did not pass through the body. He bled but little externally. He died almost instantly and with but a single groan. He died where I have often heard him say…on the field in a victorious charge. The last sound that ever fell upon his ears was the shout of victory…on the second July our brigade was again [en]gaged and we did not have an opportunity to bury him. On 3rd we found he had been buried by [the] Pioneer Corps to be sure that it was his body Lt. Z[ach B.] Smith & [Pvt. William J.] Woodward dug down to the body and found it was his. He was buried where he fell near the corner of a field and a park of [the] Gettysburg Female College [Lutheran Theological Seminary] his pocket book etc are in the possession of Lieut. Z. Smith who was badly wounded three days ago at Hagerstown and has been sent to the rear. [He died of his wounds on Sept. 1, 1863.] It is needless for me to try to express…my grief at Charley's death…I never saw a young man whom I more admire[d]…a boy…but in all else a man…he was beloved by every body who knew him…we shall never cease to deplore his loss or fail to honor his memory…hi[s] early promise has found a bloody grave…may God temper the affliction…with recollections of his virtue and worth…I…have been continually on outpost duty since 1st July…the army got here last night-will resume the march…tomorrow. We have experienced a serious disaster but not a fatal one. The next victory will be ours…". In January 1864, Shooter was promoted to the field and staff of the regiment, but was killed at its lieutenant colonel during the battle of Spotsylvania on May 12, 1864. Also included here are a great pair of war-date Confederate soldier's letters written by Corporal Charles W. Reaves, Co. E, 1st South Carolina (Gregg's) Vols. The first was written just months after enlisting in August 1861 and the other written before his death at Gettysburg, reading, in part: [4pp. 8vo., Camp Jager, Suffolk, Va., Oct. the 12th, 1861]…I learned that Cousin Joe [possibly Joseph Baker who enlisted on the same day and same district as Reaves who was POW in 1864]…joined Cat. Stanley's company…it must be a mistake for he irrevocably committed himself to our company…he even went so far as to send for transportation which Capt. Shooter sent him…Capt. Shooter having sent him transportation makes it impossible for him to back out, without forfeiting his bonds…I…have made arrangements for him in my mess…I have remained by myself in order to make a mess…that would suite him…we have been given flint lock muskets…we have borrowed about fifty flint locks from the state of Virginia…we only borrowed them to drill with until we could get the rifles which the secretary of war…promised to Capt. Shooter…flint locks are as good as any to drill with…there are several of our men sick with the measles…two men from the Horry company died a few days ago…our regiment has been increased to eleven companies by the arrival of the Carolina light infantry from Charleston. It…contains eighty-six members. Our band also arrived a few days ago…we now have good music…". Also, included is the original transmittal cover with PAID 5 "Suffolk, Va. Oct. 16, [1861]" postmark…PLUS; [4pp. 8vo., Camp Gregg, Va., Mar. 30, 1863]…Mr. [William] Johnson [died Howard Grove Hospital, Richmond, Va., July 15, 1863] met with a serious accident on his way back to camp. He had his bag of provisions stolen from him [at] Richmond. He had a fine supply of rice, potatoes, hams, sausages…their loss was a great disappointment to his mess…at Fredericksburg…you will also get a chance to see the Yankees across the river. I found…a new substitute for tea…it is…the leaves of the ordinary holly tree. It resembles the real China tea very much in taste…". Overall VG with minor irregular margin affecting the left edge of the Gettysburg letter. (4 pieces).
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