Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A war-date Union officer's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Capt. Henry A. Wiley, Co. B, 104th New York Vols., "Hospital near Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 14, 1862", in part: "Yesterday was a terrible day for the 104th as well as most all of our men on the left of Burnside's army. One Division of our corps crossed the river on the pontoon bridge Thursday night and done picquet duty during the night. Next morning the rest of our Second Grand Division crossed with out any opposition and remained there all day and night. Yesterday morning the battle commenced in earnest and was kept up until long after dark with fearful mortality…our brigade was held in reserve…soon we discovered the position of the enemy. We were ordered in under one of the most terrible fires…our erg suffered terribly. Our company went in with 27 men…Geo. W. Hall was killed almost instantly. Lieut. Snyder received a wound in one finger. Wesley Lewis in [the] right arm. Alonzo Marble two fingers shot off. Sidney Miller shot through both thighs. I had a very narrow escape…a bullet struck my knife which was in my vest pocket and shoved it all to pieces, bruising me in the abdomen…Dr. Chase says I must be very quiet or will have a good afterwards with it. I am now at the hospital…Sergt, Mack told me that George had come over on this side of the river…please tell Mr. Snyder about George also Mr. Lewis about Wesley…I am feeling very anxious to hear from all of our company [and] have sent over the river to see if I can learn anything more. Our Brigade made a charge and drove the rebels from their works and took 200 prisoners but had to fall back…as our reinforcements did not come up in time…one of the bloodiest and hardest fought battles ever known was fought yesterday on the left and center. We did not hear much infantry fighting on the right…I found the bullet that struck me when I opened my pants and shall preserve it, also the knife just as it was struck with the bullet…". VG
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