Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Miles L. Smith Co. K, 10th Conn. Vols., on patriotic stationery, "New Bern, N. C., Nov. 7, 1862". In late October 1862, Union commander Gen. John Foster led an expedition from New Bern towards Tarboro, North Carolina in hopes of cleaning Confederate foraging parties out of the region. On Novemebr 2nd, their lead regiment, the 44th Mass. ran into nearly 800 intrenched rebels six miles outside of Williamston and Rawle's Mill. They, along with the 10th Conn., pushed throughout the Rebels and kept on their march burning and pillaging various towns they encountered before returning to New Bern. Smith gives a brief description of the battle and of his plundering, in small part: "…we started on a march and was gone 2 weeks…went to Washington, N. C. and from there…to Hamilton…to Plymouth and then back to the boat…I had a chance to see the old battle ground [of] Roanoke island. It looked natural…we marched 4 hundred and 4 miles…our colonel has resigned since…the first day that we left Washington…we came on the rebels and the battle lasted until 1 o'clock that night. We had to go through the water up to our waist. We killed 1 hundred and 40 rebels and 80 [wounded]. On our side 12 killed and 5 wounded…them was [from] the 44 Mass. The balls whistled over our heads and struck the trees spat, spat and fall by our feet. In Williamston I found 2 watches and a nice pair of ear rings and 30 dollars secesh money. I sold the money for 8 dollars of our money and one of the watches for 10…I can sell the other one for 20…it is a new one [with a] hunting case…". VG
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