Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Sergeant Sherman P. Cooley [WIA Drewry's Bluff, Va., May 12, 64 & Petersburg, June 18, 64], Co. F, 27th Mass. Vols., "Hatteras Inlet, the [?] Ranger, Jan. 14, 1862," in part: "…we sailed from F[ortress] M[onroe]…the 12th…the sea was very calm until we commenced doubling the cape. We had a bark in toe…she broke away and we…left here. She soon run up a flag of distress. The sea was getting very rough. We turned around went back…she had no pilot aboard her…we were obliged to keep in sight of her…imagine our…500 poor soldiers going to fight for their Union we were the sickest fellows you ever saw…we are anchored in Hatteras Inlet in a hard storm…Wednesday 15th…Burnside & Foster have arrived today…the Rebbel gun boats are out on the watch for us and so we are for them. We hear bad news from the [9th] New York zouaves. They run aground between Annapolis & Fortress Monroe on the Virginia shore…the rebels were firing into them. They will all be taken prisoner…January 20…I had a very narrow escape from drowning. Myself, Lieut. [John W.] Moore [WIA Petersburg, Va., June 18, 64] and three others were going ashore and run into a steam boat. Moore and I had a very hard time. He was under a long time. I went down three times. I trusted in the Lord and he saved me this time…". Also included is the original stamped transmittal cover. VG
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