Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A great war-date anonymous Union letter, 7pp. 8vo., concerning the role of the 5th Connecticut Vols. in the battle of Winchester, Virginia on May 25, 1862, reading, in small part: "Hartford Post, June 7, 1862…on Saturday, the 25th of May, the regiment started about sunrise...for Winchester. The Regiment marched all day, with brief halts, and arrived at Winchester 24 miles about 8PM. The train having been attacked on the road from Strasburg the men were ordered to leave their knapsacks by the road…and proceed to the threatened point. These knapsacks were subsequently captured…when at Winchester the regiment were without blankets…they would have been supperless had they not been provided from the train by the thoughtfulness of Col. Chapman...5 o'clock in the morning the firing from the enemy began, and the shells fell upon the brigade and upon all sides of the 5th…as the fire of the enemy began…the officers were at their posts and the regiment was at once put in position…there was no retreat…for three hours, and not then till an order to retreat came from Genl. Banks. In this fierce fight with vastly superior odds, the 5th Connecticut were, in the bearing of the men…all that could be asked…they escaped with comparatively slight loss It were not so with the enemy that opposed them. At one time a North Carolina regiment came down upon them…when within a few rods the boys poured in a volley which tumbled them to the ground like sheep. At this time, had they [we] received an order they [we] would have charged the enemy with the bayonet...the 5th came off in perfect order, and though followed by the enemy's batteries for miles and fired on by the citizens they kept their ranks and with the 28th New York…they marched about 40 miles…no Union forces have fought such superior odds as this Army of Genl. Banks in this late battle at Winchester…". Also included is the letter's original unused postal cover. Fine condition
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.