Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A nice war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Pvt. John F. Meley, Co. F, 12th New Jersey Vols., "near Burkeville Station, [Va.], April 16, 1865," to his cousin, in part: "…I was glad to hear from you & of your great rejoicing over the crowning victory of the army of the Potomac. Just to think that the pride & boast of the southern chivalry Lee's Grand Army should be utterly routed & demoralize whipped at every point. Surrounded & surrendered in the space of ten days. The cry of why don't the army of the Potomac do something is but a small loss of life. The actions of the Army of the Potomac is those ten days will fill the brightest pages of the history of this war…our regt. was very fortunate in not losing a man. Only one was slightly wounded. They were in two charges & skirmished with the enemy several times & always successful in driving them. One was taken prisoner at Farmville & was retaken among those that was surrendered by Lee. Part of the time during the pursuit the roads were almost impassible caused by rain & being cut up by the enemies immense trains…the 2nd Corps followed close upon the heels of the enemy…we found the bad roads. The roads in some places for a mile or two would be strewed with wagons & contents, caissons & cannon. Also horses & mules & any quantity of all kinds of ammunition. Some of the wagons they set fire to & we had to be a little cautious on account of shells exploding every once in awhile. At one crossing of a creek they abandoned over two hundred & fifty wagons with their contents. Half of them with the mules…some of the boys thought it quite amusing to chase the Jonnies in such a style. As the country was very hilly, our artillery would gallop to one and open on them in good earnest the boys yelling as they advanced. The rebels had hastily thrown up earth works on every commanding position on the road. But soon were routed out of them. Then the artillery would gallop to another hill & give them large doses of pills called Shrapnel which had a tendency to hurry them in their flight. Large numbers were captured at various times. Some of the boys…seemed to think it was fun to fight that way to see the Jonnies run. They were a completely demoralize set. It was quite a sight to see their trains, wagons of all sizes & descriptions of various colors…their horses & mules was a pitiful sight…nothing but a bunch of bones with skin drawn over them & entirely played out. Monday we have received the startling intelligence of the assassination & death of President Lincoln & also of Sec. Seward & Son, have heard that Seward will recover. This sad news has created quite a sensation here among us. And the ire of some is raised to quite a pitch. They feel wrathy against the traitors & woe be to that one who gives them cause to lay their hand on him. It is certainly a sad affair & will cast a gloom over the whole land. I shall be anxious to learn the particulars of it & who the perpetrator was. It seems to me that hanging is too good for such a wretch. I forgot to say that we lost our Brigade Commander, Gen. Smyth. He rode up on the skirmish line with our Regt. & was a mark for a Sharpshooter…in a few moments he was hit. The ball entering his cheek & passing out the back of neck severing the spinal cord. He lived several hours. He was truly a brave & generous soldier & beloved by all his command…we deeply feel his loss. The 2nd, 5th & 6th Corps. are encamped in the vicinity of the Junction…we we are waiting to hear from Sherman & Johnson…the war is at an end at least as far as fighting is concerned. And I hope that Uncle Sam having no more use for us Veterans will give us liberty to go home. The boys are all in the best of spirits on the account of the prospect of a speedy peace & of not having to fight anymore…I have charge of the beef & issuing it to the Com. on the march & up to the present have killed beef everyday…my feet became very sore on the bottoms so I didn't travel with much pleasure….many had the same complaint…I am glad & thankful to have it to say that amid all the exciting scenes of war & commotion & amid the wickedness & many temptations of camp life that I have not forgotten in whom I have trusted…". Damp stained, else VG
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