Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Lieut. William H. Mickle, Co. H, 134th New York Vol., "Kelley's Ferry, Tenn., Dec. 22, 1863" concerning the Knoxville Campaign, in part: "…I am now at Kelley's Ferry waiting the arrival of the steamboat in order to go to Bridgeport where our Head Quarters now are…my duties frequently call me to Lookout Valley & Chattanooga & to save my horse I jump on board a steamer 7 go as far as Kelley's Ferry…being about five miles from Genl Hooker's Hd. Qrs. in Lookout Valley. Our Corps has returned from pursuing Longstreet & many of the troops were barefoot & marched over 110 miles in that manner over rough & frozen roads…we have been moving about & fighting so much that we had not time to refit the men…before we got in pursuit of the enemy at Chattanooga. Now we will have time to fully equip our great army & strengthen ourselves…for that 3000,000 more to replenish our already large army. While the enemy will be gradually growing weaker…7 cause them to make their last grand struggle for the 'Sham Confederacy'!! Our Nation can truly…[thank] that man who has so wisely…conducted our great ship of state ever Abraham Lincoln, the greatest…ruler in the world. I hope he may be reelected…the Tennessee River is full of water…& our government boats run all day to Knoxville…". Raising to the rank of captain, Mickle served faithfully throughout the remainder of the war, being wounded at Gettysburg, and serving as a staff officer for Generals Howard, Hooker, and Sherman. The original stamped transmittal envelope is included. VG
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