The Battle of Resaca

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012

A great war-date Union officer's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo, written by Lieut. William H. Mickle, as an officer on Hooker's staff, "Hd. Qrs. 20th A. C. near Kingston, Geo., May 19, 1864", to his wife concerning driving the Confederates before them and the battle of Resaca, in part: "…we have given the Johnies…from Tunnel hill, Buzzard Roost, Dalton, Resaca, Adairsville and now are following them rapidly towards Atlanta. Yesterday we had a running fight with them for several miles capturing prisoners & demoralizing them generally. I captured two of them…& took a fine gun. 'Fighting Joe' alias Genl Hooker has done most of the hard fighting and if Genl. Sherman would let him move on & attack the Rebs as he would like we would soon have their army annihilated, but these western Genls are afraid of the reputation Hooker would gain by letting him work. Consequently, they keep him in the background…we hear glorious news from the Potomac & hope Grant may be more than successful…in your last letter you mentioned…Geo. Payne [killed at the battle of Dug Gap May 8, 64]…little did you fancy him sleeping the cold death!…he was as brave as the bravest…& fell like a soldier…we will…have some hard fighting before this campaign is ended…if Grant & Sherman both succeed…Rebellion will soon be among the things that were…". Also included is the original stamped transmittal envelope. 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. Near fine

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