Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A good war-date Union officer's battle letter, 4pp. folio., written by Capt. Henry A. Wiley, Co. B, 104th New York Vols., "Camp 104th N. Y. S. Vols., Dec. 16, 1862", in part: "…last night all of our troops recrossed & fell back on this side of the river…all of the men in the hospital that could walk were sent back…all of our boys that were wounded are doing well. Lieut. Snyder is with the company and…his finger is doing well…Lieut. Snyder acted nobly…I am proud of Co. B…every man…done their duty under one of the most murderous fires…and charged a breastwork and drove the rebels from it and pursued them to their second line. When no reinforcements coming up they had to fall back…across the R. Road…our brigade was led by our gallant Col. Root in front cheering on his men. We took over 200 prisoners…I was wounded just as we were going in and had to come off the field. My jack knife which was in my vest…was all that saved my life. The ball went through my overcoat & blouse and struck my knife and broke it all to pieces and bruised me in the abdomen…the boys that did not go in feel bad enough. All the rest call them coward and say that they 'Limbered to the rear' to get rid of going in…their name are Isaac A. Wright & Alonzo Mix. Geo. W. Hall …was shot in the head and died almost instantly…this was the first battle that he had ever been in. I shall never forget how lively and cheerful he seemed…on that morning…Charley De Long brought out two prisoners with him…I do not know whether the battle is to be renewed…we can not take their fortifications without the terrible loss of life…Gen. Burnside was opposed to crossing…but was ordered preemptively to do so and give Lee battle…Lee…might have swept us from the plain when we were massing the day before the battle…but instead he let us cross…and then we had to attack him in his fortifications…when I was coming off the field I stopped near the first hospital…to rest. The rebels commenced shelling it and several struck within a few yards of me. I saw Gen. Bayard when he was struck with a shell or solid shot…it did not burst and took one side of his body and thigh tearing him most all to pieces. I was not more than four rods from him at the time. Gen. Bayard was chief of cavalry and his loss is deeply felt…he was only 28 years of age…he lived several hours after being wounded…". VG
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