Pursuing General Bragg after the Battle of Stones River

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011

War-date Union soldier's Autograph Letter Signed by Lt. William Spencer McCaskey, 79th Pennsylvania Infantry, enlisted April 1, 1861 with the 1st Penna. Infy, mustered with the 79th in July, 1861, and was mustered out as a captain in July 1865. This letter is 4pp. quarto, in pencil, datelined, Camp 'In the Field' near Decherd, Tennessee, July 12, 1863, with cover addressed to his brother in Pennsylvania, and reads in part: "...The campaign has been very disagreeable, and owing to the incessant rain for 15 days, our progress was very slow....wading in the mud, move one step forward and slide two back....It was rainy heavily and that gum coat made a mark of distinction from the skirmishers, and made me a mark. Once, I was certain it was all up. A Mississippian pulled on me, and knocked splinters all over my hat. The force of the splinters knocked the hat off. Co. 'B' had about the hottest place of the line, but we pushed them across the stream and captured 4 prisoners & Spencer rifles with 7 loads...Anyhow we flanked Mr. Bragg and he had to get out of the roads. There would have been little left of him, or his army, if we would have had good weather. But it has saved lives here, and been a glorious thing for Genl. Meade. We were on short rations for considerable time. We have had glorious news from Grant & Meade. Grant's the boy, best Genl. of the age. He is the only General that can boast of a complete victory, and he has had several of them. The Army of the Potomac is for the first time doing well. Hope they may continue to do so. Our victory has been a good one, gained the whole of Tennessee, but it is insignificant when compared with Grant's & Meade's...We are now encamped on a burial ground. My bunk mate and myself have a grave between us, good companion...Sorry to hear of Cye's insubordination, his disrespect to his superiors, but I think it is mostly the fault of his officers. They should nip such acts in the bud. I am never troubled with anything of that kind. They don't answer me back when I order them, and I'd advise all enlistees to pay proper respect to their officers. Not that I consider myself better than any man under me, but I like to be respected, and the difference of position requires respect..." Fine condition.

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