Raynor HCA 2013-01
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2013
A wonderful war-date Union officer's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by 1st Lt. John T. Andrews, Co. D, 179th New York Vols, "Before Petersburg, Va., March 30, 1865", in part: "…the campaign is opened in earnest…last night the rebels made another attack on our lines…we have been under arms every morning at three o'clock in readiness for attack…last night about half past ten I was awakened…by a hurried shake by the Capt. and the exciting intelligence that the rebus were upon us. I hurried on part of my clothes, snatched my sword and hurried down to rout out the company. It was laughable to see some of the men perform. In a very short time we were in line of battle and went on the double quick to the breastworks…but not a reb made his appearance. Never did I see before such a beautiful exhibition of fireworks…it was…at Fort Stedman where the rebels made their attack last saturday…the air was full of blazing shells coursing back and forth…it lasted about an hour…we then…slept on our arms till three when we were up again as usual…Lieut. Mapes…of Co. D was on picket…he was struck on the leg by a spent ball…the rebels had advanced to within a few yards of our picket line…the pickets say they heard our Colonel [future brevet brigadier general William M. Gregg] give the command 'forward, guide centre, double quick, march'…the rebels thinking our pickets were being reinforced turned and skedaddled, our pickets giving them volley after volley as a parting salute…some little cannonading is now (11 a. m.) going oat our left, but I guess it wont amount to anything… a battle has been going on at the left. Rumors says it is a decided victory for us. The artillery and musketry firing has been hearty all the afternoon and about five o'clock a train of our wounded, three hundred in all, went down…". Near fine
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