September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
War-date Union soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Henry A. Wiley, 104th New York Vols, 6pp. octavo, Near White Oak Church, May 22, 1863, and reads in part: "...We have a very nice camp at present and Gen. Reynolds our Corps commander was heard to say while riding by it that this was the nicest camp in this corps. Which of course we feel very proud of...We have been much reduced considerable since the battle [Chancellorsville] as a good many nine months and two years men have gone home, their period of service having expired...We are looking with a good deal of interest towards the Western Army under Grant and Rosecrans. It is evident that Grant has had or is to be within a very few days a terrible battle with the forces of Pemberton, somewhere in the vicinity of Vicksburg, as Grant has now moved and is closing in upon the Rebels. It is reported that Pemberton has 100,000 men and possibly more and a desperate battle must soon be fought there. Bragg has also a large force opposed to Rosecrans and we are looking with much interest the course that is being pursued by them. I am somewhat puzzled at times in regard to the late movements of the Army of the Potomac. Most of the northern journals say that Hooker was defeated at Chancellorsville, yet I am not of that opinion...I do not doubt that it was a military necessity to fall back across the river but it was owing in a great measure to the river rising so rapidly and fears were entertained that the bridges might be carried away and we would then be cut off from our supplies and that would necessarily oblige him to fall back or be captured by Lee. I think that Lee's army was worse cut up than ours and that he was not anxious to renew the contest or else he would never have permitted Hooker to withdraw his army to this side of the river without following him up and giving battle..." More. Very good condition.
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