Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A great war-date Union soldier's battle letter, 6pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. William Reese [DOD, Aug. 25, 62], Co. B, 103rd Penn. Vols., "[near James River, Va.], June 23, [1862]", in part: "…the papers give a very bad name to our reg. but we do not deserve it. [It] has caused [a] very hard feelings amongst the men of the division. They will never do any good for they fought bravely. I saw how things [were] though I was not able to carry a gun…it is foolish to think that they could hold 42,000…rebels back. The prisoners say that the rebel army were all picked men with the best generals they have got. Jeff Davis is said to be with them in the battle…our force was not more than 6,000 and…worn out with fatigue and hard marching which we had done with poor officers and general…there was to much jealousy between [this general] and the other general…to be on the advance. General Couch wanted to be in front but it appears that Casey, our general, is the father-in-law of McClellan…he got permission to go in front. We are counted the poorest division in the service…Forquer…heard that the 103[rd] had run at first fire but it is false…the 103 stood till they were out flanked. The rebels were trying [to] get around them and being in a thick wood and swamp. It was impossible for them to stand. They were taken to far in the wood. They were not in line of battle when the enemy fired on them not more than 30 rods distance and half of the reg. had no loads in their guns…the Major had not given orders to load before leaving camp…all thought that it was only a skirmish with the pickets…our regiment was the first to engage the enemy…". VG.
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