Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A good war-date Confederate officer's letter with postal cover, 4pp., 8vo, written by Major Philip H. Powers, 1st Virginia Cavalry, "Camp near Fredericksburg (VA) Dec 17 1862," in part: "…At the time I wrote the battle was raging and as soon as it was finished I rode along the lines to ascertain how the day was going. The firing was incessant and grand - by the time I reached our left where Jackson was engaged, the enemy were repulsed and driven with great loss into Fredericksburg and under cover of his heavy batteries on the opposite side of the river. The next day we confidently expected a reversal of the fight and I again rode along our line of battle. The enemy were drawn up in large forces and in sight…Thus the two armies remained all day Sunday and Monday. Monday afternoon the enemy asked permission to bury his dead…Yesterday morning I rode over the battle field and counted in our place eighty five dead bodies lying stark and cold - and almost naked - a most ghastly spectacle - they had been carried to one spot for burial but their inhuman friends had left that duty unperformed and under cover of the truce flag evacuated their position. So ends the Battle of Fredericksburg which I suppose Burnside will claim a great victory. Prisoners say that he ordered a renewal of the attack Sunday morning but he could not get his men to come up to the scratch. His generals remonstrated with him that it was impossible to carry our position and thus the On to Richmond is again stayed. Last evening Jackson's Corps moved towards Port Royal and are now between that place and Fredericksburg. What the enemy are about I have not heard. Changing his base I suppose…" Stamps removed from cover, else VG.
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