Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
A rare war-date Confederate Campaign report, 12pp. 4to., "Headquarters Horse Artillery," Nov. 16, 1864 signed by Major Roger Preston Chew (1843-1921) as major commanding Stuart's Horse Artillery in the Army of Northern Virginia submitting a report outlining: "...operations of the Horse Artillery from the 4th May 1864 to the 31st Aug. 1864." Here Chew describes in detail his actions during the Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Leaving Gordonsville on the 4th, he encounters the enemy the following day, unloading his guns to assist General Thomas L. Rosser with one of his batteries: "Capt. Thomson engaged the enemy's Batteries immediately and a brisk cannonade ensued. The fire of the enemy was very accurate - disabling so many cannoneers [sic] as to render it necessary for the Officers to assist in working the guns..." The following day, Thomson's and Shoemaker's Batteries were moved and "...were engaged first with the Cavalry and later with ten guns of the Horse Artly of the enemy." They were fired upon by sharpshooters, but "...the enemy did not advance during the day."The fighting continued and the "...guns were handled with skill but not withstanding the accuracy of their fire the enemy continued to charge." On May 9, the "...Battery was moved back on the Spotsylvania road..." On the 12th, Chew writes that he "...moved with Thomson's and Shoemaker's Batteries to Waits Shop. the infantry of the enemy was making a fierce attack on the lines and two of their Batteries...were annoying our infantry by a well directed fire." Ordered to distract the enemy, Chew "...opened with seven guns..." and "...soon exploded a caisson and inflicted other sever loss on the enemy." The fighting continued around Spotsylvania Court House until May 21. Chew's Horse Artillery fought battle after battle over the next three months, all of which Chew gives a detailed account. Text is faded slightly. Folds have weakened with some separation on the first two pages and are expertly repaired on the verso with only two minor spots of staining.
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.