Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
A good war-date Union soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Miles L. Smith Co. K, 10th Conn. Vols., [n. p., but Roanoke Island, N. C.], "Feb. 20, 1862", in part: "…we have had one battle and took Roanoke Island and 3 thousand prisoners and 1 hundred rebel officers and Governor Wise's son, killed him and took over 30 pieces of cannon and a lot of ammunition…sunk 3 rebel boats and took 3 rebel gunboats. What a looking set the rebels are, all kinds of dress, toe pants to coats and old black hats. They look just like state's prison men…it was hard to see the men that was shot some with both legs off and arms shot off…balls through the head and the balls was just as thick as hailstones flying all around. Our colonel [Charles L. Russell] was shot dead and our captain [Benjamin Jepson] wounded in the head, shot off part of his ear. He has gone home to New Haven…none of our company [was] killed nor wounded except our captain. Lots of sweet potatoes we found buried in the ground and hams and great long knives that they ment to kill us with…they said that Jeff Davis told them to kill us…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG.
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