Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A great war-date Union soldier's raid letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Sgt. John Day [POW Drewry's Bluff, Va., May 16, 1864], Co. B, 7th Conn. Vols. "Hilton Head, Island, S. C., June 11, 1863", concerning the retaliatory burning of Bluffton, South Carolina for the role her citizens played in helping spark the Secessionist Movement which resulted in civil war after South Carolina's split from the Union, in part: "…we have been on an expedition…our comp[any] was doing picket duty down to Pope's Plantation…orders came for us to have three days rations cooked for we was going to be relieved by a comp. of the 8th Me…marched to Seabrook…our major is in command there. Here all the troops met. The expedition of troops…was two comps. of the 7th Conn. and two comp. of the 6th Conn & two…of the 115 New York, one…of engineers & six…of the 118th New York Vols…we embarked on board of steamers…we landed about to miles from a village called Bluffton…after our troops was all landed we formed companies. Our skirmishers was thrown out, The bugle sounded & we took up our line of march…in close column until we reached the woods…seeing no rebels we got to the village…our skirmishers…see a few cavalrymen [and] exchanged a few shots…we had orders to burn the village & we…made a hell of a hot fire…and it kicked up a hell of a smoke. We only left a church standing…just as we was about to leave a few of them mounted devils come down & opened on us. There was so much smoke that we couldn't see…we poured a volley…into them & a few charges of grape & canister…then we moved away from the dock & steamed down the [May] river…we are now doing picket duty again…Gen. Hunter is relieved of his command. Gen. Gilmer is to take command of this Department…& Admiral DuPont is relieved…Admiral Foote takes command of this Blockading Squadron…". Comically, Sergeant Day then adds a postscript to his letter aptly titled: "The Soldier's Prayer." reading, in full: "Our Father who out in Washington, Uncle Abraham be thy man. Thy victory won, thy will be done. At the South, as at the north. Give us this day our daily rations of crackers and pork. And forgive us our short comings. As we forgive our Quartermasters. For thine is the power the soldiers and the negroes. For the space of three years. Ame[n]…". VG
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