Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A sad war-date Union officer's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Third Brigade Inspector, 20th Corps. 1st Lt. Lewis Hanback (1839-1897 US Representative from Kansas), Co. I, 27th Illinois Vols. "Head Quarters 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division 20th A. C., Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 30, 1863" concerning the death of 1st Lieutenant Otis Moody 51st Illinois following the battle of Chickamauga, in part: "Long ere…this…you will have had the sad news of Otis' death…still I am led to believe that you will accept a few lines from one who cherished him as a dear friend who went with him into battle & who stood by him in that last hour of trial, watched by him & administered to his wants until the brittle thread was snapped, until God said it is enough, come up higher. I do not write for the purpose of offering a single word of condolence…when the heart is bowled down by such a great sorrow that words of sympathy sound harsh in the ear of the mourner…ever since that cheerless morning of the 20th of Sept when death robbed me of a friend…Otis was wounded about 4 o'clock P. M. of the 19th in the midst of a terrible fight. He was carried to the rear as rapidly as possible, put in an ambulance & taken to a hospital…after the fight was over I went back to the hospital…I found him lying beside Col. [Luther P.] Bradley [future brevet brigadier general]. The Col. held out his hand to me. I took it & asked him how he felt. 'Very well' he said but said he 'Here is Moody badly wounded & suffering very much.' At this Otis turned from his left side & held out his hand to me & spoke in a manner so calm & resigned that I shall never forget. 'Well comrade you & I will have to part company this time.' Oh my heart almost came into my throat. I knew what he said was too true yet I said. 'O no Moody I hope not.' He only replied 'O yes I am going.'…he said nothing more only to give me directions how to raise him up & lay him down so that he might rest easily. At 2 A. M. he sunk to rest…angles walked by his side down through the dark valley…in life Otis did not desert his God…he was buried on the 20th & the spot was marked that his body may be reclaimed when you obtain possession of the ground…". VG
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