Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A rare [written Sept. 17th on the battlefield of Antietam] war-date Union officer's battle letter, 3pp. 8vo., written by Capt. Henry A. Wiley, Co. B, 104th New York Vols., on "The War for the Union" patriotic stationery, "Near the Battle field [Antietam], Sept. 17, 1862", in part: "I hasten to inform you that we have just come out of one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in America. I am all right. I received a small wound in my shoulder just enough to make the flesh smart…Capt. [Stephen L.] Wing is in command of our regiment…I am second in command. Should anything happen to him I would be in command…no men killed in my company but six are wounded, none of them very bad…our brigade and our regiment are badly cut up. Capt. Kelly was killed, Capt. [Henry G.] Tuthill [WIA Gettysburg] wounded in the hand [he] lost three of his fingers, Lieut. [Leman F.] Dow wound in the hip. Lieut. [William C.] Wilson [POW Gettysburg] wounded in the body. How any of us got out alive is more than i can see…will write again in a few days…". It is very rare to find soldier's letters written from famous battlefields, especially written on the very day of the battle! VG
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