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 Corp. Silas Canton, Co. B, 31st Indiana Vols., "Camp near Kingston, Geo., May 29, 1864", in part: "…since I wrote to you last we have done some hard soldiering. We left Atawah on the 3rd. After traveling two days we came to Catoose Springs. There is thirty two kinds of mineral waters [there.] Before the war broke out the Southern lords or slave holders went there to spend the summer. They had games of all kinds going on…we come to Tunnel Hill where we expected to find the rebels which we was disappointed with the expection of a few cavalry when we took possession of the hill. We soon found out that the rebels were on Rocky Face Mountain on the opposite side of the valley…we soon drove the rebs out of the valley. They had the pass through the mountain so well fortified that it was impossible [to] go through. Genl. Sherman left our corps to guard the gap while he was going to get in the rear. The rebels knowing his movement retreated to Resaca…we followed…passing through Buzzard Roost and Dalton, the second day coming up to them about noon, our forces engaging them all the afternoon about an hour…they made a charge on us. After fighting a short time we had to retreat on account of them getting nearly in our rear. Hooker coming to our help drove the rebels back with great loss. The next day we was held in reserve. Hooker's men drove them back some distance taking some prisoners and artillery…that night the rebs evacuated the place. We have been driving them ever since. We have passed through Calhoun and Kingston…we had a fight at Rocky Faced mountain. We had 17 killed and wounded. Acy [Asa S.] Palmer was killed and William Larison wounded. We had about twenty five killed and wounded…and some taken prisoners…I seen the 85th regt. They were in the fight…". The letter is signed only "Silas" and is from a 31st Indiana collection. The two soldiers mentioned as casualties are 31st soldiers. The Civil War data base list two Silas, but they are in fact one and the same soldier. VG.
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