Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A great war-date Confederate officer's battle letter, 5pp. 8vo., written by Capt. Leonard Williams, 2nd South Carolina Cavalry, "Camp near Culpeper, Va., Aug. 2, 1863" on receiving a wound in hand to hand combat, in part: "…we have had another of the most desperate fights of the war…the Yankees crossed the Rappahannock enlarge force, one or two divisions of cavalry & one of infantry. Our brigade met them. The entire brigade did not number more than 800 men. We were opposed…to five times our number. The fight lasted from 12 oak till near night; we lost a good many men…wounded. I recd. a flesh wound in the lower part of the neck & shoulder from a pistol shot. The wound is slight & I hope to be well in 10 days…I received the shot in a hand to hand encounter. I used my saber on him to some purpose but he got away…Lieut. Williams recd a wound from which he died this morning. Will Thompson recd a slight wound in the little finger. Cunningham & Day each slightly wounded by a shell. Hollaway a serious wound in the side. Cooley & Tornburg also recd slight wounds. My company also gad 3 horses killed & four wounded. My company probably suffered more than another in the regt. I regret the death of Lieut. Williams. He was a good officer & brave…Campbell Williams & Stephen Smith were taken prisoner while in attendance upon Lieut. Williams. The wounds of my men are so slight none of them but Halloway have been sent to the hospital…Dr. Taylor advises me to go to a house for a few days…you need not be uneasy about my wound…all my men behaved well in the fight…I have a company of fighting boys. They have proved themselves on many occasions…". Also included is the original transmittal cover. VG
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