Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
We are please to present here one of the most informed and detailed Union soldier's letter's concerning a skirmish. Written by David Morris Evans (1831-1924) a noted lawyer and journalist, while serving as a 1st sergeant in the 35th New York. Evans mixes wit and humor to give us a step by step account of the events leading up to and during the battle of Ball's Cross Roads. A riveting account even I, the cataloger of this letter, greatly enjoyed transcribing the letter for Raynor's HCA. Evans finished up the war as colonel of the 20th New York Cavalry and helped parole Petersburg's and Richmond's Confederate citizens and soldiers after Lee surrendered to Grant in 1865. A great war-date Union soldier's battle letter, 12pp. 4to., written by 1st Sergeant David Morris Evans, Co. I, 35th New York Vols., on patriotic stationery showing the US Capitol entitled: "View of Washington City", Fort Morgan [Defenses of Washington], Sept. 1, 1861 concerning the battle of Ball's Cross Roads or Hall's Hill on August 27, 1861, reading, in very, very small part: "…the fort…is named Fort Morgan in honor of the governor…[small sketch of fort here] made of earth about twelve feet thick…it mounts seven guns but will have some more…on Tuesday last [August 27]…our company and Capt. [John] Lacy's…we[re] detailed as pickets to go to 'Ball's Cross Roads" about two miles from camp. We got to the ground…at dark. Several other companies were there amounting to one hundred and fifty five men. Col. [Israel B.] Richardson [2nd Mich. Vols. and future brigadier general] had command of the squad. He commenced posting the pickets…our company was lead on the road to 'Falls Church'…we met the captain who…said that our pickets had been withdrawn…Col. Richardson said that the post must be occupied that night…it was…dark as the moon was not up yet. We…crept through the woods knowing we were right in among the Rebel[s]…we struck into a cornfield…two went forward…they came back on the run…I called out 'This way!'…a lieutenant…instead of stopping…snapped his fingers…immediately half of the boys sprang like deer for the woods…one of the privates cried out' 'Hold on!'…the whole secession camp was aroused…our scouts had run upon some Rebel pickets…we then…proceeded to…the house beyond the cornfield…our noise in the cornfield scared the rebel pickets and left us the field…the house…is 'Hon. Horace Upton's M. C…John Churchill sent up word…that there was a large force of Rebels near him…he could hear them snore…Geo. Malott…said that there were certainly two…Rebel pickets in a log house…asleep…the Rebel camp was within gun shot…the lieutenant…requested me to go and see 'what was up'…Geo. pointed out the house and I approached very cautiously sticking out my head and ears as far in advance as I could. Soon I heard the snore…I reached the house…I then opened the door…I discovered that the snoring came from behind the house. I then…discovered the cause…a few pigs were asleep and making noise…resembling a 'human snore'. This discovery was very unexpected for the family…had abandoned the place and it had been occupied by both parties of pickets for sometime…everything in the house had been carried off or destroyed…we discovered on a neighboring hill some military men looking at us as though they were very much interested in us. Rebel pickets had refused to fire at us…and we were puzzled…but could not make out whether they were friend or foe…soon several companies came from behind the hill and…formed into column by company…the captain…from the N. Y. 12 Regt…said those must be our men…a column of three or four companies was seen to ascend the same hill and attack the party…on the top…the attacking force was driven down the hill and across the valley towards us…it turned to the left and went behind a piece of woods…the sergeant major of the [12th N. Y.]…went down to the woods…a volley…was fired at us…the sergeant major…came limping along…he said if they were friends they were very rash for they shot him…one man never returned so we concluded that he was killed…we left in good order but left our pickets still on their posts…I told our captain that it was an outrage to leave our men there…the lieutenant…detailed me to recall them…all the troops in sight…were Rebels. They march up the hill had a sham battle among themselves…to draw us to the assistance of one of the parties. We also saw a Rebel field officer marching a regiment to flank us…they came on one thousand strong…hooting and yelling like so many fiends…we poured a volley into them…we then retreated firing continually…our loss was two killed and three wounded…thus ended the first skirmish that I was ever in…musicians do not…go into battle…Charley Woodford thought it would be nice fun to go out…on picket…he says the balls flew around him very well…every evening there is a balloon ascension…night before last it ascended at Ball's Cross Roads when the rebels shot rifled cannon balls at it…there are…masked batteries among the woods…Gen. McDowell is under arrest…by order of McLellan for allowing the Rebels to approach so near and fortify the hills about here…he has been ordered under arrest by the President for losing the battle at Bull Run…he is charged with being bribed by Davis to give the battle to [the] Rebels…one of Capt. [John G.] Todd's company was shot this forenoon…he was shot through the thigh the ball going through…". Near fine
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.